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A BOOK OF LULLABIES 


BOOKS 

Edited by ELVA S. SMITH 

Cataloguer of Children’s Books, Carnegie Library 
of Pittsburgh 

Illustrated Cloth 

GOOD OLD STORIES for Boys and Girls 
MYSTERY TALES for Boys and Girls 
PEACE AND PATRIOTISM 
HEROINES OF HISTORY AND LEGEND 
MORE MYSTERY TALES for Boys and 
Girls 

A BOOK OF LULLABIES 


Edited by ELVA S. SMITH and 
ALICE 1. HAZELTINE 

St. Louis Public Library 

CHRISTMAS IN LEGEND AND STORY 





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ADAGIO. 

Fro})i Pa'Ditlng by Hans Herterich. 







A BOOK 
OF LULLABIES 


Compiled by 


ELVA S. SMITH 


• ILLUSTRATIONS FROM FAMOUS PAINTINGS 



BOSTON 

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. 













i * 



Copyright, 1925, 

By Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. 


j^// Rights Reserved 


A Book of Lullabies 


Printed in U. S. A. 


IWorwooJ) iPrees 

BERWICK & SMITH CO. 
Norwood, Mass. 


SEP 14 1925 

©C1ASG1700 





PREFACE 


In the course of a usual day’s work librarians 
are frequently called upon to trace the source of 
some half-remembered lines of poetry; and there 
are occasions when reference books and well- 
trained memories fail to provide the necessary 
clues. Requests for lullabies prove particularly 
tantalizing. They exist in large numbers and 
there are naturally many similarities in thought 
and sometimes in expression, especially in re¬ 
frains. This collection originated in research of 
this kind and its primary purpose is to help li¬ 
brarians who may receive inquiries of a similar 
nature. It is hoped, however, that the volume 
will be of value for other purposes also. The 
lullaby goes back in its history to the very be¬ 
ginnings of literature and its development is well 
worth special study. The simple croon, used in¬ 
stinctively by the primitive mother to lull her 
child to rest, and the modern slumber song are 
akin in the feeling which they express. This com¬ 
mon sentiment, with its universal appeal, links 
together diverse ages and races, and provides a 
common bond for men and women in widely dif¬ 
ferent stations in life. But however strong the 
family likeness may seem, however frequently the 
same images are employed, there are countless 
variations in character and in manner. The folk 
lullabies reflect not only the emotions of the peo- 

v 


vi Preface 

pie but also the customs and the beliefs of those 
who first sang them. Into the later poems has 
passed something of the personality of the indi¬ 
vidual writer; they differ in method and in art¬ 
istry. It is interesting, therefore, to trace the re¬ 
semblances and to note the differences between 
the cradle songs of different times and climes, be¬ 
tween the old and the new. 

In order to serve the purpose intended the col¬ 
lection has been made comprehensive in character 
rather than narrowly selective; and a few poems 
other than lullabies, but which may be useful in 
connection with them, have been added. Some of 

the selections included are of interest more for 

/ 

the idea and the feeling expressed than for their 
art; but others will be found that possess the 
“ very poetry of poetry.” The poems and songs 
have been chosen from a variety of sources; but 
there has been no attempt to form an exhaustive 
compilation, and the collection has been limited 
to those which were available in English render¬ 
ings. An adequate presentation of the lullaby 
literature of different lands would have required 
not only extended research, for which both time 
and opportunity were lacking, but would have ex¬ 
ceeded the limits of the proposed volume. Many 
cradle songs by modern writers have necessarily 
been omitted because of copyright restrictions; 
and authors, such as Eugene Field and Laurence 
Alma Tadema, who have written numerous lulla¬ 
bies, are represented by a selection only. Refer- 


Preface vii 

ences to some of the cradle songs not included will 
be found in the notes which are appended. 

Most lullabies were made to be sung, and these 
naturally lose greatly by their enforced separa¬ 
tion from the melodies with which they are gen¬ 
erally associated. The omission may seem espe¬ 
cially serious in some cases; but the inclusion of 
music would have necessitated a different type of 
book and, therefore, seemed inadvisable. 

The problem of the best arrangement was a 
matter of concern; but the division of the lulla¬ 
bies into subject groups seemed to offer special 
elements of interest which were lacking in the 
other forms considered. Such an arrangement is 
manifestly imperfect, for many lullabies might 
have been assigned with equal appropriateness to 
several of the different groups and some could not 
easily be classed with any other poem included. 
The difficulties inherent in this plan will, it is 
hoped, be overcome to some extent by the various 
indexes which have been added. 

An effort has been made to verify texts from 
authoritative sources whenever this has been pos¬ 
sible; but no attempt has been made to indicate 
all the variations in text for the older songs and 
carols which are extant in several versions. Also, 
many of the lullabies included are fugitive little 
poems whose source is unknown; and others first 
appeared in volumes which have long been out of 
print and which could not be obtained for veri¬ 
fication. 


X 


A cknowledgmen ts 

Mr. E. A. Brininstool: Prairie Mother’s Lul¬ 

laby ” and The Voyage to Lullaby Land.’’ 

Dr. Richard Burton: “ Say, Little Maiden,” from 
“ Collected Poems ” of Arthur Upson. 

Jonathan Cape, Limited, and Mr. W. H. Davies: 
“A Mother to Her Sick Child,” from Col¬ 
lected Poems ” of Mr. Davies. 

The Canadian Magazine: “An Indian Lullaby,” 
by Claude Bryan. 

Mr. Francis Carlin and Henry Holt and Com¬ 
pany: “The Flaymakers’ Lullaby,” from 
“ The Cairn of Stars ” and “ The Virgin’s 
Slumber Song,” from “ My Ireland.” 

Chatto & Windus and Miss Eleanor Hull: “ The 
Fairies’ Lullaby,” from “ The Poem-Book of 
the Gael.” Chatto & Windus, Duffield & 
Company, and Miss Edith Rickert: “ Lul¬ 
laby, Mine Liking ” and “ By-By, Lullaby,” 
from “Ancient English Christmas Carols.” 

Mr. Padraic Colum: “Lullaby,” from “Wild 
Earth, and Other Poems.” 

The Cornhill Magazine: “ The Virgin’s Lullaby,” 
by Nora Hopper. 

The Cornhill Publishing Company: “ You’s Sweet 
to Yo’ Mammy Jes’ de Same,” from “ Fifty 
Years, and Other Poems,” by James Weldon 
Johnson. 

The Cosmopolitan: “ Indian Lullaby,” by Sarah 
Comstock; “Lullaby,” by Nannie Fitzhugh 
Maclean; “The Sandman,” by Mary White 
Slater. 

Mr. Algernon Crapsey: “Cradle-Song,” from 
“ Verse,” by Adelaide Crapsey. 


XI 


Acknowledgments 

Mrs. Helen Coale Crew and the New York Even¬ 
ing Post: ‘‘ In a Low Rocking-Chair.’^ 

Dodd, Mead & Company: “A Child’s Song of 
Christmas,” from “ Lamp of Poor Souls,” by 
Marjorie L. C. Pickthall; “Slumber Song,” 
from “ Poems,” by Marie Van Vorst. 

George H. Doran Company: “ Lullaby for a Baby 
Fairy,” from “ Poems, Essays, and Letters ” 
of Joyce Kilmer, copyright 1918, by George 
H. Doran Company, Publishers. 

E. P. Dutton & Company: “A Lullaby,” from “A 
Chant of Love for England, and Other 
Poems,” by Helen Gray Cone; “ Slumber 
Fairies,” from “ Fairy Gold,” by Katharine 
Lee Bates; “The Stars’ Song,” from “Jack 
and Jill,” by Greville MacDonald; also, folk 
lullabies from “ Essays in the Study of Folk- 
Songs,” by the Countess Martinengo-Cesa- 
resco. 

Forbes & Company: “Lullaby” and “Three 
Lullabies,” by Fred Emerson Brooks. 

Mrs. Louise Ayres Garnett and Contemporary 
Verse: “ De Li’l’ Jesus-Baby ” and “ Li’l’ 
Yaller Cradle”; Mrs. Garnett and Harper’s 
Bazar: “ The Dream Boat.” 

Mrs. Augustus McK. Gifford (Fannie Stearns 
Davis): “ Evening Song,” from “ Crack o’ 
Dawn.” 

Mr. Charles Buxton Going: “ Sleepy Song,” from 
“ Star-Glow and Song.” 

Mr. Alfred Perceval Graves: “An Irish Lullaby,” 
“As a Blossom Sweet and Rosy,” and “ The 
Cradle of Gold.” 

Thomas P. Halpin Company: “A Lullabye,” 


xii Acknowledg merits 

from Ballad of the White Ship, and 
Other Poems/’ by William Noble Roundy. 

Harcourt, Brace and Company: Dixie Lul¬ 

laby/’ from “ Canzoni,” by T. A. Daly, by 
permission of Harcourt, Brace and Company, 
Inc., the holders of the copyright. 

Mr. Arthur S. Hardy: “Lullaby,” from “Songs 
of Two.” 

Harper and Brothers: “ Lullaby,” from “An Ode 
to Girlhood, and Other Poems,” by Alice A. 
Sewall. 

Harper’s Bazar: “A Romany Lullaby,” by Edith 
de Charms, and “ The Dream Boat,” by Mrs. 
Louise Ayres Garnett. 

Mr. Robert E. Healy: “His Lullaby.” 

Mrs. Ella Higginson: “ Cradle-Song of the Fish¬ 
erman’s Wife,” from “ When the Birds Go 
North Again”; also, “The Childless Moth¬ 
er’s Lullaby.” 

Henry Holt and Company: Three poems by Wal¬ 
ter De la Mare: “ Dream-Song,” from 

“ Down-adown-Derry ”; “ Lullaby,” from 

“Poems”; “Peak and Puke,” from “Pea¬ 
cock Pie.” 

Houghton Mifflin Company: The selections by 
Thomas Bailey Aldrich, Alice Cary, Mrs. 
Florence Earle Coates, Mrs. Grace Hazard 
Conkling, Richard Watson Gilder, Lucy 
Larcom, Josephine Preston Peabody, Eliza¬ 
beth Prentiss, Frank D. Sherman, Harriet 
Prescott Spofford, Elizabeth Stoddard, Celia 
Thaxter, Edith M. Thomas, and Margaret 
Vandegrift are used by permission of, and by 


Acknowledgments xiii 

special arrangement with, Houghton Mifflin 
Company, the authorized publishers. 

Mr. B. W. Huebsch: “Lullaby,” from “Dreams 
Out of Darkness,” by Jean Starr Untermeyer. 

The Independent: “Black Mammy’s Lullaby,” 
by Wightman F. Melton. 

The Irish Monthly: “Slumber Song,” by Alice 
Furlong; “A Hush Song,” by Paul Gregan; 
“ Mary to Her Babe,” by L. L. O’K,; “ Sea¬ 
side Nursery Song,” by M. La T. 

Mrs. Carrie Jacobs-Bond: “A Sleepy Song ”; also, 
** His Lullaby,” by Robert E. Healy. 

The Jewish Publication Society of America: “A 
Ghetto Cradle-Song,” from “ Songs of a 
Wanderer,” by Philip M. Raskin. 

Mr. James B. Kenyon: Selections from “ Little 
Book of Lullabies.” 

Mr. Alfred A. Knopf: “ Lullaby,” from “ Gren- 
stone Poems,” by Witter Bynner; “Cradle- 
Song,” from “ Verse,” by Adelaide Crapsey. 

The Ladies’ Home Journal: “ My Baby Dear,” by 
Samuel Abbott. 

Mr. Edmund S. Leamy and The Devin-Adair 
Company: “Lullaby,” from “My Ship, and 
Other Verses.” 

Mr. Richard Le Gallienne: “A Child’s Evensong.” 

Mr. Shane Leslie: “Rebel Mother’s Lullaby.” 

Little, Brown & Company: “Johnny’s By-Low 
Song,” and “ Song of the Little Winds,” by 
Laura E. Richards. From “ In My Nursery.” 
Copyrighted by Little, Brown & Company. 


xiv Acknowledgments 

Longmans, Green & Company: Cecil,” from 
“ Songs of Childhood,” by Walter De la 
Mare; Hazeleye’s Lullaby,” by Chief Simon 
Pokagon, from ^‘Indian Sketches,” by Cor¬ 
nelia S. Hulst. 

Mr. Seumas MacManus: “Lullaby,” from “Bal¬ 
lads of a Country-Boy”; also, “ Neece the 
Rapparee,” from “ The Four Winds of 
Eirinn,” by Ethna Carbery (Anna Johnston 
MacManus). Published by M. H. Gill & 
Son. 

The Macmillan Company: “Lullaby,” from 
“ Wild Earth and Other Poems,” by Padraic 
Colum; “Evening Song,” from “Crack o’ 
Dawn,” by Fannie Stearns Davis; “Cradle- 
Song of the Fisherman’s Wife,” from “ When 
the Birds Go North Again ” and “ The Child¬ 
less Mother’s Lullaby,” by Ella Higginson; 
“ Lullaby,” from “ You and I,” by Harriet 
Monroe; “ Hushaby,” from “ The Little Flag 
on Main Street,” by McLandburgh Wilson; 
two cradle songs by William B. Yeats. 

Macmillan & Company, Ltd., London: “ Mother- 
Song,” from “ Prince Lucifer,” by Alfred 
Austin. 

Mr. Edwin Markham: “A Prayer,” from “The 
Man with the Hoe, and Other Poems,” copy¬ 
righted in 1899. 

Mr. Elkin Mathews: “A Lullaby,” “A Song of 
Mary,” and “ Unto Us a Child is Born,” 
from “ Christmas Songs and Carols,” by 
Agnes H. Begbie. 

Mrs. Madeleine Sweeny Miller and The Method¬ 
ist Book Concern: “A Winter Lullaby,” from 


XV 


Acknowledgments 

“ Songs from the Smoke/^ by Madeleine 
Sweeny Miller, copyright, 1914. Used by 
permission of The Methodist Book Concern. 

Mr. Leigh Richmond Miner and The Outlook 
Company: “ De Li’V Road to Res’and 
‘‘ Dey Don’ Know.” Reprinted from The 
Outlook, September 17, 1919. 

Mr. Langdon E. Mitchell: Carol.” 

Miss Harriet Monroe: “Lullaby,” from “You 
and I.” 

The Norman, Remington Company: “Lullaby,” 
from “An Epilogue,” by Seumas O’Sullivan. 

Mr. Vincent O’Sullivan: “Norman Cradle-Song.” 

Overland Monthly: “ Syrian Lullaby,” by Alice 
Hathaway Cunningham. 

L. C. Page & Company: “A Child’s Prayer at 
Evening ” and “ Sleepy Man,” from 
“ Poems,” by Charles G. D. Roberts. Copy¬ 
righted, 1903. 

Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co.: “ Sea Slum¬ 
ber-Song ” and “ Cradle Song for Summer,” 
from “ Collected Poems” of Roden Noel. 

Mr. Harry Noyes Pratt: “Lullaby-0, By-0, 
Babe,” and “ Hushabye Sea,” from “ Hill 
Trails and Open Sky: a Book of California 
Verse.” 

G. P. Putnam’s Sons: “ Cossack Cradle-Song,” 
by Lermontoff, from “ Romance of Russia,” 
by Mrs. Elizabeth Champney. Courtesy of 
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Publishers, New York 
and London. 

Fleming H. Revell Company: “Harvest Slumber 


XVI 


Acknowledgments 

Song,” by Wilfred Campbell; also three lulla¬ 
bies from '' Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes,” 
by Dr. Isaac T. Headland. 

G. Schirmer, Inc.: Hottentot Cradle-Song,” by 
Fanny Raymond Ritter; ^‘Lullaby,” trans¬ 
lated bj^ Dr. Theo. Baker. 

Charles Scribner’s Sons: “ The Sleepy Song,” 
from “ Poems,” by Josephine Daskam Bacon; 
“ Bye, Baby, Night is Come,” from “ Rhymes 
and Jingles,” by Mary Mapes Dodge; 
^^4 Mother-Song,” from “Afternoon Songs,” 
by Julia C. R. Dorr; “ Christmas Eve,” “ Lit¬ 
tle Blue Pigeon,” “ Norse Lullaby,” and “ The 
Rock-a-By Lady,” by Eugene Field; “An In¬ 
vocation to Sleep,” by J. G. Holland; “ Cra¬ 
dle Song,” from “ Bitter-Sweet,” “ Rockaby, 
Lullaby,” from “ Mistress of the Manse,” 
“ Where Shall the Baby’s Dimple Be? ” from 
“ The Puritan’s Guest, and Other Poems,” 
“ Cradle-Song at Twilight,” from “ Poems,” 
by Alice Meynell; “The Wild Woman’s 
Lullaby,” by Constance Lindsay Skinner, 
from Scribner's Magazine; “Little Boatie,” 
from “ Poems,” by Henry Van Dyke. 

Mrs. William Sharp: “Lullaby,” “Hushing 
Song,” and “ St. Bride’s Lullaby,” from 
“ Poems and Dramas ” of “ Fiona Macleod ” 
(William Sharp). 

Constance Lindsay Skinner: “ The Wild Woman’s 
Lullaby.” 

Small, Maynard & Company: “Slumber Song,” 
from “ Child Verse,” by Father Tabb, and 
“A Cradle-Song,” from his “ Poems ”; “ Cra- 


Acknowledgments xvii 

dle-Song/^ from “ The Heart of Peace/’ by 
Laurence Housman. Used by and with the 
permission of Small, Maynard & Co., Inc. 

Judge Wendell P. Stafford: ‘^Lullaby,” from 
“ The Land We Love.” 

Frederick A. Stokes Company: ^‘Hammock Lul¬ 
laby,” by Charlotte Brewster Jordan, from 
“•Mother-Song and Child-Song”; “Lullaby 
of the Piet Mother,” from “ Masters of the 
Guild,” by Louise Lamprey; “ Slumber- 
Songs of the Madonna,” from “ Collected 
Poems ” of Alfred Noyes, copyrighted, 1913- 
- 1920. 

M. Witmark & Sons: Go Sleep, Ma Honey,” by 
E. D. Barker. Printed by permission of M. 
Witmark & Sons, publishers and owners of 
the copyright. 

Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer: “ Dolly’s Lul¬ 
laby,” from “ Many Children ”; also “ Cra¬ 
dle-Song,” from “ Poems,” the Macmillan 
Company, 1910. 

Miss McLandburgh Wilson: “Hushaby,” from 
“ The Little Flag on Main Street.” 

Miss Elizabeth Hays Wilkinson: “Good-night,” 
and “ The Land of Nod,” from “ The Lane to 
Sleepy Town, and Other Verses.” 

The Youth’s Companion: “A Lullaby,” by 
George Edgar Montgomery, from the issue 
for March 26, 1896; “ Cradle Song,” by Eben 
E. Rexford, from the issue for November 6, 
1890. 






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CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Peefaoe.. 

Acknowledgments . . , . ix 

Hush Khymes.1 

The Baby^s Chaems.5 

The Child’s Thoughts.16 

Infant Woe.18 

The Weary Child.23 

The Child Asleep.26 

Thoughts of the Child’s Future . . 37 

The Prayer for the Child’s Welfare . 60 

The Love and Protection of Mother and 

Father.69 

The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 105 
The Guardian Angels.128 

Nature Lullabies.155 

The Winds and the Waves .... 181 

The Seasons.198 

Animals, Birds, and Flowers . . . 206 

An Invocation to Sleep .... 243 

Ways to Lullaby Land.248 

The Land of Dreams.292 

Rewards and Punishments .... 300 
Fairies and Enchantments .... 321 

Sorrow and Woe.337 

Humorous Lullabies.385 

Lullabies for Dolls.390 


XIX 










XX 


Contents 


Lullabies for the Chbist-Child . 


Latin Hymns and Inscriptions 
Mediaeval Folk-Songs and Carol Lnllabies 
Modern Poems and Songs 


The Child and tue Infant Christ 
Christmas Lullabies 


Evening Prayebs anh Hymns 


Notes. 

Index of Authors . . . . 

Index of Titles . . . . 

Index of First Lines 
Lines from Eefrains 
Lullabies in the Negro Dialect . 


. 396 
. 396 

. 399 

. 420 

. 466 

. 468 

. 474 

. 499 

. 537 
. 641 

. 660 
. 661 
. 563 




ILLUSTRATIONS 


Adagio ...... Frontispiece 

From Painting hy Hans HertericJi 

FACING PAGE 

Mother’s Joy ' . . . . . . 28 

From Fainting hy Oskar Beg as 

Madonna . . . . . . .78 

From Painting hy Albert Xeuhuys 

The Virgin and the Angels . . . .122 

From Painting hy Adolphe William Bouguereau 

Gift from Heaven . . . . .144 

From Painting hy Bernhard Plockhorst 

Madonna . . . . . . .160 

From Paintmg hy Louis Loeh 

Motherly Cares . . . . . .174 

From Painting hy Josef Israels 

The Shepherdess of the Abruzzi . . .198 

From Painting hy Francesco Paolo Michetti 

The End of the Day ..... 268 

From Painting hy Sergeant Kendall 

Mother and Child . . . . . 292 

From Painting hy Albert Xeuhuys 

Mother and Child ..... 332 

From Painting hy J. W. Alexander 


XXI 


XXll 


Illustrations 


Star of Bethlehem ..... 396 

From Painting hy Bruno Piylhcim 

Madonna and Cliild ..... 438 

From Painting hy Giovanni Sassoferrato 

Rest on the Flight to Egypt . . . 466 

From Painting hy Anton Van Dyck 

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep . . .474 

From Painting hy Jessie Willcox Smith 

The Infant Samuel ..... 488 

From Painting hy Sir Joshua Reynolds 


I love the cradle songs the mothers sing 
In lonely places when the twilight drops, 
The slow enduring melodies that bring 
Sleep to the weeping lids. 


Francis Ledwidge. 


A Book of Lullabies 


HUSH RHYMES 


English and Scotch 

Bee baw babby lou, on a tree top, 
When the wind blows the cradle will rock, 
When the wind ceases the cradle will fall, 
Down comes baby and cradle and all. 

Bee baw bunting, 

Daddy’s gone a-hunting, 

To get a little lamb’s skin. 

To lap his little baby in. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green; 
Father’s a nobleman, mother’s a queen; 
Betty’s a lady, and wears a gold ring; 
And Johnny’s a drummer, and drums for 
the king. 

Hush thee, my baby. 

Lie still with thy daddy, 

Thy mammy has gone to the mill. 

To grind thee some wheat. 

To make thee some meat. 

And so, my dear baby, lie still. 

1 



2 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hush-a-bye, baby, 

Daddy is near; 

Mamma is a lady, 

And that’s very clear. 


Good-night, 

Sleep tight. 

Wake up bright 
In the morning light, 
To do what’s right. 
With all your might. 


Hush and balou, babie. 
Hush and balou; 

A’ the lave’s in their beds— 
I’m hushin’ you. 


Trylle the ball, again, my Jacke, 

And be content to make some play; 
And I will lull thee on my lappe, 

With hey be bide, now say not nay! 


Hush, hush, hush! 

And I dance mine own child. 
And I dance mine own child, 
Hush, hush, hush! 


Thomas Dekker. 


Hush Rhymes 3 

Lie a-bed, 

Sleepy head, 

Shut up eyes, bo-peep; 

Till day-break 
Never wake:— 

Baby, sleep. 

Christina Rossetti. 


Italian 

If Granny but knew how. 

In golden bands she’d swathe thee. 
In a golden cradle lay thee; 

Sleep, treasure, sleep! 


Corsican 

Hush-a-by, hush-a-by 1 
Sleepily nod; 

Mother’s own joy. 
Sleep, pretty, sleep 1 


Swedish 

Hush, hush, baby mine; 

Pussy climbs the big green pine. 
Mother turns the mill-stone. 
Father, to kill the pig has gone ; 
Sister’s in the garden there. 
Culling buds and flowers fair. 
Sweetest flowers for baby. 


4 




A Book of Lullabies 

East Indian 

Sleep make, baby, 

Sleep make; 

Sleep, little baby, 

Sleep, oh! oh! 

Golden is thy bed. 

Of silk are thy curtains. 

From Cabul the Mogul woman comes 
To make my master sleep. 


Albanian 

De! de! lambskin mine. 

Where didst thou this even dine? 

In the fields where waters flow, 

’Neath the trees where cherries grow. 

Zulu 

Hush thee, my baby. 

Thy mother’s o’er the mountains gone. 
There she will dig the little garden-patch. 
And water she’ll fetch from the river. 

Ah! hush thee, my baby. 

Thy mother’s o’er the mountains gone. 
There she will dig the little garden-patch. 
And wood she will bring from the forest. 

Hush thee, my baby! 


THE BABY’S CHARMS 


FOLK LULLABIES 
English 

My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy, 

My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet boy. 
Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby, 

Give me thy dear lips to be kissed, to be kissed. 

Sardinian 

Give me thy hand, pretty, pretty, 

Reach it me yet once again; 

In silken attire will I clothe thee. 

In silk that’s blue as the sky. 

Reach out thy hand, pretty, pretty! 


Lullaby, sweet lullaby. 

You our happiness supply; 

Fair your face, and sweet your ways, 
You, your mother’s pride and praise. 
As the coral, rare and bright. 

In your life does father live; 

You, of all the dear delight. 

All around you pleasure give. 

All your ways, my pretty boy. 

Of your parents are the joy; 

You were born for good alone, 
Sunshine of the family! 

5 



6 


A Book of Lullabies 

Wise, and kind to every one. 

Light of every kinsman’s eye; 

Light of all who hither come, 

And the gladness of our home. 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby. 

Sicilian 

My little son, I wish you well, your mother’s com¬ 
fort when in grief. 

My pretty boy, what can I do? Will you not give 
one hour’s relief? 

Sleep has just passed, and me he asked if this my 
son in slumber lay. 

Close, close your little eyes, my child; send your 
sweet breath far leagues away. 

You are the fount of rose water; you are with 
every beauty fraught. 

Sleep, darling son, my pretty one, my golden but¬ 
ton richly wrought. 


Hush, my little round-faced daughter; thou art 
like the stormy sea. 

Daughter mine of finest amber, godmother sends 
sleep to thee. 

Fair thy name, and he who gave it was a gallant 
gentleman. 

Mirror of my soul, I marvel when thy loveliness 
I scan. 


The Baby's Charms 7 

Flame of love, be good, I love thee better far 
than life I love. 

Now my child sleeps. Mother Mary, look upon 
her from above. 

My love, I wish thee well; so lullaby! 

Thy little eyes are like the cloudless sky. 

My little lovely girl, my pretty one. 

Mother will make of thee a little nun: 

A sister of the Saviour’s Priory 
Where noble dames and ladies great there be. 
Sleep, moon-faced treasure, sleep, the while I 
sing: 

Thou hadst thy cradle from the Spanish king. 
When thou hast slept. I’ll love thee better still. 
(Sleep to my daughter comes and goes at will 
And in her slumber she is made to smile 
By certain ladies whom I dare not style.) 
Breath of my body, thou, my love, my care. 
Thou art without a flaw, so wondrous fair. 
Sleep then, thy mother’s breath, sleep, sleep, 
and rest. 

For thee my very soul forsakes my breast. 

My very soul goes forth, and sore my heart: 
Thou criest; words of comfort I impart. 
Daughter, my flame, lie still and take repose. 
Thou art a nosegay, culled from off the rose. 

Venetian 

Lullaby, child of the Madonna, 

Lullaby, my little soul, I am here to watch 
over thee. 


8 


A Book of Lullabies 

Lullaby, pine cone of thy grandmother, 

And of thy grandfather fair ruddy apple. 

Best hope of thy dear father. 

My jessamine, my beautiful lily! 

Lullaby, dear little heart, now, so that in time 
to come 

Thou mayst be a buckler of St. Mark. 


Hush! lulla, lullaby! So mother sings; 

For hearken, Tis the midnight bell that rings. 

But, darling, not thy mother’s bell in this: 

St. Lucy’s priests it calls to prayer, I wis. 

St. Lucy gave thee eyes—a matchless pair— 

And gave the Magdalen her golden hair; 

Thy cheeks their hue from heaven’s angels 
have; 

Her little loving mouth St. Martha gave. 

Love’s mouth, sweet mouth, that Florence hath 
for home, 

Now tell me where love springs, and how doth 
come? . . . 

With music and with song doth love arise, 

And then its end it hath in tears and sighs. 


Greek 

0 slumber; washed on Saturday, 
On Sunday dressed in clean array. 
On Monday morn to school away. 
As sweet as apple, bright and gay. 


9 


The Baby's Charms 

Sleep the mighty all has flown, 

To Alexandria she has gone; 

Nani, thou canary bright, 

Who my brain bewilders quite. 

Chinese 

My baby is sleeping. 

My baby’s asleep. 

My flower is resting, 

I’ll give you a peep; 

How cunning he looks 
As he rests on my arm! 

My flower’s most charming 
Of all them that charm. 

Syrian Lullaby 

Sleep, little moon of my delight. 

My damask rose. 

Thine eyes—twin pools of light. 

Now softly close. 

Sleep warm, my arms will shelter thee. 
My wee sweetmeat. 

Grow tall, my straight young cypress 
tree, 

Be strong and fleet. 

Sleep sweet, thou wilt be wise and good, 
My brave gazelle. 

Thy cradle is of sandalwood. 

Small dove, sleep well! 

Alice Hathaway Cunningham. 


10 


A Book of Lullabies 
ANDALUSIAN CRADLE-SONG 


From Mercedes ” 

Who is it opens her blue bright eye, 

Bright as the sea, and blue as the sky?— 
Chiquita! 

Who has the smile that comes and goes 

Like sunshine over her mouth’s red rose? 
Muchachita! 

What is the softest laughter heard, 

Gurgle of brook or trill of bird, 

Chiquita? 

Nay, ’tis thy laughter makes the rill 

Hush its voice and the bird be still, 
Muchachita! 

Ah, little flower-hand on my breast, 

How it soothes me and gives me rest 1 
Chiquita! 

What is the sweetest sight I know? 

Three little white teeth in a row. 

Three little white teeth in a row, 
Muchachita! 

Thomas Bailey Aldrich. 

THE CRADLE SONG 

Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing, 

0 saftly close thy blinkin’ e’e! 

Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing. 

For thou art doubly dear to me. 


11 


2Vie Baby's Charms 

Thy daddie now is far awa\ 

A sailor laddie o^er the sea; 

But hope ay hechts his safe return 
To you, my bonnie lamb, an’ me. 


Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing, 

0 saftly close thy blinkin’ e’e! 
Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing. 

For thou art doubly dear to me. 
Thy face is simple, sweet an’ mild, 
Like ony simmer e’ening fa’; 

Thy sparkling e’e is bonnie black; 
Thy neck is like the mountain snaw. 


Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing, 

O saftly close thy blinkin’ e’e! 

Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing, 

For thou art doubly dear to me. 

O but thy daddie’s absence lang 
Would break my dowie heart in twa, 
Wert thou na left a dautit pledge. 

To steal the eerie hours awa’l 

Richard Gall, 


A LULLABY 

Mo cheann ban beag, lie still and rest. 
I’ll pillow thee here on my breast. 

The sun is tired and turning west. 

Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 


12 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hush O, Hush 0, Hush O, my love, 

0 close thine eyes and sleep, my dove, 
The winds are crooning in the cove. 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Mo cheann ban beag, thy lids of snow. 
Are loth to hide the gems below. 

They close and open sweet and slow. 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Hush 0, Hush 0, Hush 0, my love, 

0 close thine eyes and sleep, my dove, 
The winds are crooning in the cove, 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Mo cheann ban beag, thy golden hair 
Lies like the halo angels wear; 

No angel like thee, none so fair. 

Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Hush O, Hush 0, Hush 0, my love, 

O close thine eyes and sleep, my dove. 
The winds are crooning in the cove. 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Mo cheann ban beag, thy sleeping face. 
Is beauty’s quiet dwelling place. 

Where dawn rests in the snow’s embrace. 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Hush 0, Hush 0, Hush 0, my love, 

O close thine eyes and sleep, my dove, 
The winds are crooning in the cove, 
Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 


/ 


13 


The Baby's Charms 

Mo cheann ban beag, ’tis bliss to be 
The mother of a babe like thee, 

Thank God who gave the gift to me, 

Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Hush 0, Hush 0, Hush 0, my love, 

O close thine eyes and sleep, my dove, 

The winds are crooning in the cove. 

Mo mhuirnin ceann ban beag. 

Mary Anne O'Reilly, 

A LULLABY 

Sich a li’l feller, en he settin’ up so wise! 

Say he like his daddy, but he got his mammy’s 
eyes ; 

Angel tuck en drap him fum a winder in de skies— 
By-bye, honey, twell de mawnin’. 


Sich a li’l feller, in de cunnin’es’ er cloze! 

Say he love his daddy, but his mammy’s what he 
knows! 

Foun’ him in de springtime, en dey tuck him fer 
a rose— 

By-bye, honey, twell de mawnin’. 


Sich a li’l feller, en he talkin’ like a man! 
By-bye, by-bye, kiss yo’ li’l han’; 

Lots er li’l chillun in de sleepy Ian’— 

By-bye, honey, twell de mawnin’. 

Frank L. Stanton. 


14 


A Book of Lullabies 


MY LITTLE BO-PEEP 

My little Bo-Peep is fast asleep, 

And her head on my heart is lying; 

I gently rock, and the old hall clock 
Strikes a knell of the day that’s dying; 
But what care I how the hours go by. 
Whether swiftly they go or creeping? 
Not an hour could be but dear to me. 
When my babe on my arm is sleeping. 


Her little bare feet, with dimples sweet. 
From the folds of her gown are peeping. 
And each wee toe like a daisy in blow, 

I caress as she lies a-sleeping; 

Her golden hair falls over the chair, 

Its treasures of beauty unfolding; 

I press my lips to her finger-tips, 

That my hands are so tightly holding. 


Tick, tock, tick, tock; you may wait, old clock, 
It was foolish what I was saying; 

Let your seconds stay, your minutes play 
And your days go all-a-Maying. 

0 Time! stand still—let me drink my fill 
Of content, while my babe is sleeping; 

As I smooth her hair, my life looks fair. 

And to-morrow—I may be weeping. 


The Baby's Charms 


15 


NOW LET ME LAY THE PEARL AWAY 

Now let me lay the pearl away, 

That on my breast IVe worn all day; 
How sweet, how soft the casket fair. 

Where hides all night my jewel rare. 

My snow-white lamb, thy gambols o^er. 

Thy sportive limbs must sport no more; 
Now to thy rest, let slumber creep 
With gentle tread to bid thee sleep. 

My winsome one! my heart’s delight! 

I give thee to the arms of night; 

0 darksome night! with soft caress 
My darling little baby bless. 

My heart’s delight! my pearl, my lamb! 
How rich, how blest, how glad I am! 

In sweetest sleep I see thee lie; 

Good-bye, good-night! good-night, good-bye! 

Elizabeth Prentiss. 


THE CHILD’S THOUGHTS 


CRADLE SONG 

From Bitter-Sweet ” 

What is the little one thinking about? 

Very wonderful things, no doubt! 

Unwritten history! 

Unfathomed mystery! 

Yet he laughs and cries, and eats and drinks. 
And chuckles and crows, and nods and winks. 
As if his head were as full of kinks 
And curious riddles as any sphinx! 

Warped by colic, and wet by tears. 

Punctured by pins, and tortured by fears. 
Our little nephew will lose two years. 

And he’ll never know 
Where the summers go;— 

He need not laugh, for he’ll find it so! 

Who can tell what a baby thinks? 

Who can follow the gossamer links 
By which the mannikin feels his way 
Out from the shore of the great unknown. 
Blind, and wailing, and alone. 

Into the light of day? 

Out from the shores of the unknown sea. 
Tossing in pitiful agony;— 

16 



17 


The Child's Thoughts 

Of the unknown sea that reels and rolls, 
Specked with the barks of little souls;— 

Barks that were launched on the other side, 
And slipped from Heaven on an ebbing tide! 

What does he think of his mother’s eyes? 
What does he think of his mother’s hair? 

What of the cradle-roof that flies 
Forward and backward through the air? 

What does he think of his mother’s breast— 
Bare and beautiful, smooth and white. 

Seeking it ever with fresh delight;— 

Cup of his life and couch of his rest? 

What does he think when her quick embrace 
Presses his hand and buries his face 
Deep where the heart-throbs sink and swell 
With a tenderness she can never tell. 

Though she murmur the words 
Of all the birds— 

Words she has learned to murmur well? 

Now he thinks he’ll go to sleep! 

I can see the shadows creep 
Over his eyes, in soft eclipse. 

Over his brow, and over his lips. 

Out to his little finger-tips! 

Softly sinking, down he goes! 

Down he goes, down he goes! 

See! he is hushed in sweet repose! 

Josiah Gilbert Holland. 


INFANT WOE 


FOLK LULLABIES 
Sardinian 

Oh! ninna and anninia! 

Sleep, baby boy; 

Oh! ninna and anninia! 

God give thee joy, 

Oh! ninna and anninia! 

Sweet joy be thine; 
Oh! ninna and anninia! 
Sleep, brother mine. 

Sleep, and do not cry. 
Pretty, pretty one, 
Apple of mine eye. 
Danger there is none; 
Sleep, for I am by. 
Mother’s darling son. 


Chinese 

The heaven is bright, 

The earth is bright, 

I have a baby who cries all night; 

Let those who pass read what I write. 
And they’ll sleep all night. 

Till broad daylight. 

18 



Infant Woe 19 

CHILD-SONG 

To the tune of Basciami Vita Mia 

Sleepe, babie mine, Desire’s nurse, Beautie, 
singeth ; 

Thy cries, 0 babie, set mine head on aking. 
The babe cries, ‘‘ ’Way, thy loue doth keepe me 
waking.” 

Lully, lully, my babe, Hope cradle bringeth 
Unto my children alway good rest taking. 

The babe cries, “ ’Way, thy loue doth keepe me 
waking.” 

Since, babie mine, from me thy watching 
springe th, 

Sleepe then a little, pap Content is making. 
The babe cries, Nay, for that abide I waking.” 

Sir Philip Sidney. 

LULLABY 

From '' Patient Grissil ” 

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes. 

Smiles awake you when you rise. 

Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry. 

And I will sing a lullaby. 

Rock them, rock them, lullaby. 

Care is heavy, therefore sleep you. 

You are care, and care must keep you. 
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry. 

And I will sing a lullaby. 

Rock them, rock them, lullaby. 

Thomas Dekker. 


20 


A Book of Lullabies 


MOTHER-SONG 

From “ Prince Lucifer 

White little hands! 

Pink little feet! 

Dimpled all over, 

Sweet, sweet, sweet! 

What dost thou wail for? 

The unknown? the unseen? 

The ills that are coming. 

The joys that have been? 

Cling to me closer. 

Closer and closer. 

Till the pain that is purer 
Hath banished the grosser. 

Drain, drain at the stream, love. 

Thy hunger is freeing. 

That was born in a dream, love. 
Along with thy being! 

Little fingers that feel 

For their home on my breast; 
Little lips that appeal 

For their nurture, their rest! 

Why, why dost thou weep, dear? 

Nay, stifie thy cries. 

Till the dew of thy sleep, dear. 

Lies soft on thine eyes. 

Alfred Austin. 


21 


Infant Woe 

HOTTENTOT CRADLE-SONG 

Why dost thou weep, my child? 

Wherefore dost thou weep? 

Hush, darling, calm thee. 

And sleep, my child, and sleep. 

The sky is bright, the sun is shining. 

All the silver rivers sing; 

Amid the trees the flowTs are twining. 
Gay green birds are on the wing. 
Hush, sleep and rest on mother’s 
breast; 

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest. 

Thy father to his heart will press thee. 
Bring thee shells from yonder shore; 
Oh, let him kiss, let him caress thee. 
Laugh and dance, and grieve no more. 
Hush, sleep and rest on mother’s 
breast; 

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest. 

Fanny Raymond Ritter, 


LULLABY, 0 LULLABY 

Lullaby, 0 lullaby! 

Baby, hush that little cry! 

Light is dying, 

Bats are flying. 


22 


A Book of Lullabies 

Bees to-day with work have done; 

So, till comes the morrow’s sun, 

Let sleep kiss those bright eyes dry! 
Lullaby, 0 lullaby! 

Lullaby, 0 lullaby! 

Hushed are all things far and nigh; 
Flowers are closing, 

Birds reposing. 

All sweet things with life are done. 
Sweet, till dawns the morning sun, 
Sleep, then kiss those blue eyes dry. 
Lullaby, 0 lullaby! 

William Cox Bennett, 



THE WEARY CHILD 


MAMMY’S LI’L BOY 

Who all time dodgin’ en de cott’n en de corn? 

Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who all time stealin’ ole massa’s dinner horn? 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 

By-o li’l boy! 

Oh, run ter es mammy 
En she tek ’im in ’er arms, 

Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Who all time runnin’ ole gobble roun’ de yard? 

Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who tek ’e stick’n hit ole possum dog so hard? 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 

By-o li’l boy! 

Oh, run ter es mammy 
En climb up in ’er lap. 

Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Who all time stumpin’ es toe ergin er rock? 

Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who all the time er-rippin’ big hole en es frock? 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

23 



24 


A Book of Lullabies 

Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 
By-o lil boy! 

Oh, run ter es mammy 
En she wipe es li’l eyes, 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 


Who all time er-losin’ de shovel en de rake? • 
Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who all de time tryin’ ter ride ’e lazy drake? 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 


Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 

By-o li’l boy! 

Oh, scoot fer yer mammy 
En she hide yer f’om yer ma. 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 


Who all de time er-trottin’ ter de kitchen fer er 
bite? 

Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who mess ’essef wi’ taters twell his clothes dey 
look er sight? 

Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 


Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 

By-o li’l boy! 

En ’e run ter es mammy 
Fer ter git ’im out er trouble. 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 


The Weary Child 25 

Who all time er-frettin’ en de middle er de day? 

Mammy’s li’l boy, mammy’s li’l boy! 

Who all time er-gettin’ so sleepy ’e can’t play? 
Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Byo, baby boy, oh bye, 

By-o li’l boy! 

En ’e come ter es mammy, 

Ter rock ’im en ’er arms. 

Mammy’s li’l baby boy. 

Shoo, shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo. 

Shoo, shoo, shoo! 

Shoo, shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo. 

Shoo, li’l baby, shoo! 

Shoo, shoo, shoo-shoo-shoo. 

Shoo, shoo, shoo. 

Shoo. ... 


H, S. Edwards. 


THE CHILD ASLEEP 


A CRADLE SONG 

Sleep! sleep! beauty bright, 

Dreaming o’er the joys of night; 

Sleep! sleep! in thy sleep 
Little sorrows sit and weep. 

Sweet babe, in thy face 
Soft desires I can trace. 

Secret joys and secret smiles, 

Little pretty infant wiles. 

As thy softest limbs I feel. 

Smiles as of the morning steal 
O’er thy cheek, and o’er thy breast 
Where thy little heart does rest. 

O! the cunning wiles that creep 
In thy little heart asleep. 

When thy little heart does wake 
Then the dreadful lightnings break. 

From thy cheek and from thy eye. 

O’er the youthful harvests nigh. 

Infant wiles and infant smiles 
Heaven and Earth of peace beguiles. 

William Blake. 


26 



27 


The Child Asleep 

CRADLE SONGS 

To a Tune of Blake's 

I 

Baby, baby bright, 

Sleep can steal from sight 
Little of your light: 

Soft as fire in dew, 

Still the life in you 
Lights your slumber through. 

Four white eyelids keep 
Fast the seal of sleep 
Deep as love is deep: 

Yet, though closed it lies, 
Love behind them spies 
Heaven in two blue eyes. 

II 

Baby, baby dear. 

Earth and heaven are near 
Now, for heaven is here. 

Heaven is every place 
Where your flower-sweet face 
Fills our eyes with grace. 

Till your own eyes deign 
Earth a glance again. 

Earth and heaven are twain. 


28 


A Book of Lullabies 

Now your sleep is done, 

Shine, and show the sun 
Earth and heaven are one. 

Algernon Charles Swinburne, 

TO A SLEEPING CHILD 
Lips, lips, open! 

Up comes a little bird that lives inside— 

Up comes a little bird, and peeps, and out he flies. 

All the day he sits inside, and sometimes he sings, 
Up he comes, and out he goes at night to spread 
his wings. 

Little bird, little bird, whither will you go? 
Round about the world, while nobody can know. 

Little bird, little bird, whither do you flee? 

Far away around the world, while nobody can see. 

Little bird, little bird, how long will you roam? 
All round the world and around again home; 

Round the round world, and back through the air. 
When the morning comes, the little bird is there. 

Back comes the little bird and looks, and in he 
flies. 

Up wakes the little boy, and opens both his eyes. 

Sleep, sleep, little boy, little bird’s away. 

Little bird will come again, by the peep of day; 




MOTHER’S JOY. 

From PaintitKj by Oslmr Degas. 














29 


The Child Asleep 

Sleep, little boy, the little bird must go 
Round about the world while nobody can know. 

Sleep, sleep sound, little bird goes round. 

Round and round he goes; sleep, sleep sound. 

Arthur Hugh Clough. 

TO AN INFANT SLEEPING 

Oh drinking deep of slumber’s holy wine. 

Whence may the smile that lights thy counte¬ 
nance be? 

We seek in vain the mystery to divine; 

For in thy dim unconscious infancy 
No games as yet, no playfellows are thine. 

To stir in waking hours such thoughts of glee, 
As, recollected in thine innocent dream. 

Might shed across thy face this happy gleam. 

It may be, though small notice thou canst take. 
Thou feelest that an atmosphere of love 
Is ever round thee, sleeping or awake: 

Thou wakest, and kind faces from above 
Bend o’er thee; when thou sleepest, for thy sake 
All sounds are hushed, and each doth gently 
move: 

And this dim consciousness of tender care 
Has caused thy cheek this light of joy to wear. 

Or it may be, thoughts deeper than we deem 
Visit an infant’s slumbers: God is near, 

Angels are talking with them in their dream. 
Angelic voices whispering sweet and clear; 


80 


A Book of Lullabies 

And round them lies that region’s holy gleam, 
But newly left, and light which is not here; 
And thus has come that smile upon thy face, 

At tidings brought thee from thy native place. 

But whatsoe’er the causes which beguiled 
That dimple on thy countenance, it is gone; 
Fair is the lake disturbed by ripple mild. 

But not less fair when ripple it has none: 
And now what deep repose is thine, dear child. 
What smoothness thy unruffled cheek has won 
Oh! who that gazed upon thee could forbear 
The silent breathing of an heartfelt prayer! 

Richard Chenevix Trench, 


SLEEPING AND WATCHING 

I 

Sleep on, baby, on the floor. 

Tired of all the playing; 

Sleep with smile the sweeter for 
That, you dropped away in. 

On your curls’ full roundness stand 
Golden lights serenely; 

One cheek, pushed out by the hand. 
Folds the dimple inly; 

Little head and little foot 
Heavy laid for pleasure. 

Underneath the lids half shut 
Slants the shining azure. 


81 


The Child Asleep 

Open-soul in noonday sun, 

So you lie and slumber; 

Nothing evil having done, 

Nothing can encumber. 

II 

I, who cannot sleep as well, 

Shall I sigh to view you? 

Or sigh further to foretell 
All that may undo you? 

Nay, keep smiling, little child. 

Ere the sorrow neareth; 

I will smile, too! patience mild 
Pleasure’s token weareth. 

Nay, keep sleeping before loss: 

I shall sleep though losing! 

As by cradle, so by cross, 

Sure is the reposing. 

III 

And God knows who sees us twain. 
Child at childish leisure, 

I am near as tired of pain 
As you seem of pleasure. 

Very soon, too, by His grace 
Gently wrapt around me. 

Shall I show as calm a face. 

Shall I sleep as soundly. 

Differing in this, that you 
Clasp your playthings, sleeping. 

While my hand shall drop the few 
Given to my keeping; 


32 


A Book of Lullabies 

Differing in this, that I 
Sleeping shall be colder, 

And in waking presently. 

Brighter to beholder: 

Differing in this beside— 

(Sleeper, have you heard me? 

Do you move, and open wide 
Eyes of wonder toward me?)— 
That while you I thus recall 
From your sleep, I solely. 

Me from mine an angel shall, 

With reveille holy. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 

CRADLE SONG 

In the darken’d alcove 
Of an humble shed, 

Sleeps the baby shadow’d 
By its mother’s bed. 

As he sleeps his eyelids. 

Tinted with the rose. 

Open up to heaven. 

While to earth they close. 

And his dreams are many. 

He sees all the strand 
Strewn with sunlike diamonds. 
Flashing through the sand. 

And he sees fair ladies, 

Bearing, as they go. 

Hearts of men enchanted 
In their arms of snow. 


33 


The Child Asleep 

And he sees bright rivers 
In a happier dream, 

And a sweet voice singeth 
Out of every stream. 

All his fair young sisters, 

And his sire, are there. 

And his mother smiling. 
White wings seems to wear. 

Brighter things and brighter 
Haunt him as he sleeps, 
Roses red and lilies 
Lie around in heaps. 

And blue lakes delightsome. 
Where the white fish feeds. 
And the soft wave murmurs 
To the golden reeds. 

Dream on, bonny baby. 

Sleep, sweet love of mine. 
Ere thy young heart knoweth 
How man’s days decline; 
How the tide shall bear thee 
On its backward sweep. 
Like a broken seaweed. 

Sleep, my darling, sleep. 

Careless, thoughtless, joyous. 
Sleep while yet you may, 
Ere remorseless sorrow 
Meet thee in the way; 


34 


A Book of Lullabies 

Ere her icy fingers 
On thy sunny brow, 

Write the word to-morrow 
Where no stain is now. 

Innocent he sleepeth, 

Angels calm and fair, 

Knowing well beforehand 
All that he must bear. 

Seeing him defenceless. 

Without care or fears. 

Wet his little fingers. 

Kissing them with tears. 

He, their kisses meeting, 

Saw the tears that fell. 

And his lips of honey 
Whisper Gabriel. 

But the tender angel 
Bids the cradle move. 

On his lip one finger. 

And one raised above. 

Then the watchful mother. 

Rocking soft and low. 

Dreaming some dark vision 
Hath disturbed him so; 

When she hears him sighing. 

Proud and glad the while. 

With a rain of kisses 
Makes her darling smile. 

Victor Hugo. 


The Child Asleep 


35 


SAY, LITTLE MAIDEN 

I 

Say, little maiden with dewdrop eyes 
Caught in a moonbeam’s silver trace. 
What is the meaning of this surprise 
Written across your lily-face? 

Thrice has the cricket said good-night 
In the sleepy valley below you there. 

And still I look at the starry light 
That gleams in your golden hair. 

Maiden afloat on the emerald stream 
Oj the mighty Slumber Sea, 

In all of the beautiful dreams you dream 
Is there one little place for mef 

II 

What do you see in the wonderlands 
Along the starbright thoroughfare. 

Led by the touch of spirit hands. 

And what do the spirits whisper there? 

Are there silver worlds we know not of 
They lead your immaculate soul among? 
Are there songs they sing of an unknown love 
That never on earth were sung? 

And do they as they hang o’er the 
bloom-set stream 
To loop you a diadem, 

Ask, too, if in all of the dreams you 
dream 

Perchance there is one for them? 

Arthur Upson. 


36 


A Book of Lullabies 


MY DROWSY LITTLE QUEEN 

My little girl is nested 
Within her tiny bed, 

With amber ringlets crested 
Around her dainty head; 

She lies so calm and stilly, 

She breathes so soft and low. 

She calls to mind a lily 
Half-hidden in the snow. 

A weary little mortal 

Has gone to Slumberland; 

The pixies at the portal 

Have caught her by the hand. 

She dreams her broken dolly 
Will soon be mended there. 

That looks so melancholy 
Upon the rocking-chair. 

I kiss your wayward tresses. 

My drowsy little queen; 

I know you have caresses 
From floating forms unseen. 

0, Angels, let me keep her 
To kiss away my cares. 

This darling little sleeper. 

Who has my love and prayers! 

Samuel Minturn Peck. 


THOUGHTS OF THE CHILD’S 

FUTURE 


FOLK LULLABIES 
English 

Dance my baby diddy, 

What shall thy mother do with thee? 
But sit in her lap 
And give it some pap, 

And dance a baby diddy. 

Smile, my baby bonnie. 

What shall time bring on thee? 
Sorrow and care. 

Frowns and gray hair. 

So smile my baby bonnie. 

Laugh, my baby beauty. 

What will time do to thee? 

Furrow your cheek. 

Wrinkle your neck. 

So laugh, my baby beauty. 

Dance, my baby deary. 

Thy mother will never be weary. 
Frolic and play 
Now while you may. 

And dance, my baby deary. 

3T 



38 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hungarian 
Hush, my darling; hush, my darling; 

Hark, thy mother sings a lay; 

She, who bore thee; she, who clasps thee. 

Her only joy, that takes her many griefs away! 
Soon thou wilt grow and leave thy mother’s 
roof; 

Soon thou to manhood wilt attain. 

Happy may thy lot be then! 

Happy may thy lot be then! 

Roumanian 

Sleep, my daughter, sleep an hour. 
Mother’s darling gilliflower. 

Mother rocks thee, standing near. 

She will wash thee in the clear 
Waters that from fountains run. 

To protect thee from the sun. 

Sleep, my darling, sleep an hour, 

Grow thou as the gilliflower. 

As a tear-drop be thou white, 

As a willow, tall and slight; 

Gentle as the ring-doves are. 

And be lovely as a star! 

Lullaby, my little one. 

Thou art mother’s darling son; 

Loving mother will defend thee. 

Mother she will rock and tend thee. 

Like a flower of delight. 

Or an angel sheathed in white. 


39 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 

Sleep with mother, mother well 
Knows the charm for every spell. 
Thou shalt be a hero as 
Our good lord, great Stephen, was. 
Brave in war, and strong in hand. 
To protect thy fatherland. 

Sleep, my baby, in thy bed; 

God upon thee blessings shed. 

Be thou dark, and be thine eyes 
Bright as stars that gem the skies. 
Maidens’ love be thine, and sweet 
Blossoms spring beneath thy feet. 

Corsican 

Hushaby, my darling boy; 

Hushaby, my hope and joy. 

You’re my little ship so brave 
Sailing boldly o’er the wave; 

One that tempests doth not fear. 
Nor the winds that blow from high. 
Sleep, a while, my baby dear; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

Gold and pearls my vessel lade, 

Silk and cloth the cargo be, 

All the sails are of brocade 
Coming from beyond the sea; 

And the helm of finest gold. 

Made a wonder to behold. 

Fast a while in slumber lie ; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 


40 


A Book of Lullabies 

After you were born full soon 
You were christened all aright; 
Godmother she was the moon, 
Godfather the sun so bright; 

All the stars in heaven told 
Wore their necklaces of gold. 

Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

Pure and balmy was the air, 

Lustrous all the heavens were; 

And the seven planets shed 
All their virtues on your head; 

And the shepherds made a feast 
Lasting for a week at least. 

Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

Nought was heard but minstrelsy, 
Nought but dancing met the eye, 

In Cassoni’s vale and wood 
And in all the neighborhood; 

Hawk and Blacklip, staunch and true, 
Feasted in their fashion, too. 

Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

Older years when you attain. 

You will roam o’er field and plain; 
Meadows will with flowers be gay, 
And with oil the fountains play. 


41 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 

And the salt and bitter sea 
Into balsam changed be. 

Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

And these mountains, wild and steep, 
Will be crowded o’er with sheep. 

And the wild goat and the deer 
Will be tame and void of fear; 
Vulture, fox, and beast of prey. 

From these bounds shall flee away. 
Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

You are savoury, sweetly blowing. 
You are thyme, of incense smelling. 
Upon Mount Basella growing. 

Upon Mount Cassoni dwelling; 

You the hyacinth of the rocks 
Which is pasture for the flocks 
Fast a while in slumber lie; 

Sleep, my child, and hushaby. 

Russian 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep, my laddie, 
While the moon shines clear! 

I will sing you songs and stories 
While your cradle’s near. 

Soon, too soon, a time is coming 
When away you’ll ride. 

With your foot within the stirrup. 

Your gun at your side. 


42 


A Book of Lullabies 

I with silks will sew your saddle; 

I shall watch you start. 

Rich and noble you’ll appear, but 
Cossack in your heart. 

You will wave your farewell to me, 

But that night in bed 

I with sleepless eyes and sorrow 
Bitter tears will shed. 

I shall break my heart with longing, 

I shall pray all day: 

All my thoughts will travel to you 
When you’re far away. 

Dreams will tell me you are homesick 
In those foreign lands. 

Sleep, then, now while care’s far from you, 
While I kiss your hands. 

Keep your holy Eikon near you 
That to you I’ll give; 

Kneel in front of it in prayer. 

Guard it while you live. 

You’ll remember ere the battle 
All my love for you. 

Sleep on now, my son, my darling, 
Bai-ush-ki-hayu” 

English version by L. Edna Walter. 


Thoughts of the Child/s Future 43 

THE HIGHLAND BALOU 

Hee balou, my sweet wee Donald, 

Picture the great Clanronald! 

Brawlie kens our wanton Chief 
Wha gat my young Highland thief. 

Leeze me on thy bonie craigie! 

An thou live, thou’ll steal a naigie, 

Travel the country thro’ and thro’, 

And bring hame a Carlisle cow! 

Thro’ the Lawlands, o’er the Border, 

Weel, my babie, may thou furder, 

Herry the louns o’ the laigh Countrie, 
Syne to the Highlands hame to me! 

Robert Burns, 


A LULLABY 

Hush thee, my baby boy, hush thee to sleep, 
Soft in my bosom laid, why should’st thou weep? 
Hush thee, my pretty babe, why should’st thou 
fear? 

Well can thy father wield broadsword and spear. 

Lullaby, lullaby, hush thee to rest, 

Snug in my arms as a bird in its nest; 

Sweet be thy slumbers, boy, dreaming the while 
A dream that shall dimple the cheek with a smile. 

Helpless and weak as thou’rt now on my knee. 
My eaglet shall yet spread its wings and be free— 


44 


A Book of Lullabies 

Free on the mountainside, free in the glen, 
Strong-handed, swift-footed, a man among men. 

Then shall my '' dalt ” bring his “muim ” a good 
store 

Of game from the mountains, and fish from the 
shore; 

Cattle and sheep and goats—graze where they 
may— 

My '' dalta'' will find ere the dawn of the day. 

Thy father and uncles with target and sword, 
Will back each bold venture by ferry and ford; 
From thy hand I will yet drain a beaker of wine. 
And the toast shall be—Health, and the lowing 
of kine! ” 

Then rest thee, my foster-son, sleep and be still; 
The first star of night twinkles bright on the hill; 
My brave boy is sleeping—kind angels watch o’er 
him. 

And safe to the light of the morning restore him. 

Lullaby, lullaby, what should he fear. 

Well can his father wield broadsword and spear! 

Alexander Stewart. 

LULLABY OF AN INFANT CHIEF 

0, hush thee, my babie, thy sire was a knight. 
Thy mother a lady, both lovely and bright; 


T'houghts of the Child's Future 45 

The woods and the glens, from the towers which 
we see, 

They all are belonging, dear babie, to thee. 

0 ho ro, i ri ri, cadul gu lo, 

0 ho ro, i ri ri, cadul gu lo, 

b, fear not the bugle, though loudly it blows. 

It calls but the warders that guard thy repose; 

Their bows would be bended, their blades would 
be red. 

Ere the step of a foeman draws near to thy bed. 

0 ho ro, i ri ri, etc, 

0, hush thee, my babie! the time soon will come, 

When thy sleep shall be broken by trumpet and 
drum ; 

Then hush thee, my darling! take rest while you 
may; 

For strife comes with manhood, and waking with 
day. 

0 ho ro, i ri ri, etc. 

Sir Walter Scott, 

EAST COAST LULLABY 

Day has barred her windows close, and gangs wf 
quiet feet; 

Nicht, wrapt in coat o’ gray, steals saftly doon the 
street; 

Birdies deep in feathered nest bid the. warld 
adieu— 

Lullaby and lullaloo; sleep, lammie, noo. 


46 A Book of Lullabies 

One by one the glimmerin’ een aboot the harbor 
dark 

Wink an’ blink an’ fa’ to gloom; scarce is left a 
spark. 

Ne’er a thing but wind and waves’ll moan the lang 
nicht through— 

Lullaby and lullaloo; sleep, lammie, noo. 

Frae the sea the wind blaws wild like a pibroch 
shrill; 

Grant the Lord there’s naucht to fear, naucht o’ 
wae or ill! 

When ye’re grown my heart’ll ache, sonnie, jist 
for you— 

Lullaby and lullaloo; sleep, lammie, noo. 

Will ye sail awa’ at dawn to net the herrin’ fine? 

Will ye track the monster whale yon where north- 
lichts shine? 

Mither-heart’s a bonnie star, steady, clear and 
true— 

Lullaby and lullaloo; sleep, lammie, noo. 

Lady Lindsay. 


HUSHABY, DARLING 

Hushaby, darling, and hushaby, dear, 0, 
Hushaby; darling will yet be a hero. 
None will be bigger or braver or stronger. 
Lullaby, little one, crying no longer. 



Thoughts of the Child's Future 47 

Lullaby, little one, bonnie wee baby, 

He’ll be a hero and fight for us maybe; 

Cattle and horses and sheep will his prey be. 
None will be bolder or braver than baby. 

Softly and silently eyelids are closing, 

Dearest wee jewel, so gently he’s dozing; 
Softly he’s resting, by slumber o’ertaken. 
Soundly he’s sleeping and sweetly he’ll waken. 

Placidly, peacefully, slumber has bound him. 
Angels are lovingly watching around him ; 
Beautiful spirits, his sorrow beguiling. 
Sweetly they whisper and baby is smiling. 

Lachlan Macbean. 


COSSACK CRADLE-SONG 

Sleep, my little flax-haired fairy. 

Fold thine eyes in sleep! 

. Silver moonbeams, bright and airy. 
O’er thy cradle creep: 

I will sing to thee a story 
Of the peaceful deep; 

Close thine eyes in dreams of glory. 
Sleep, my baby, sleep! 

Hark! The Terek dark and foaming, 
Welters through the glade. 

Where the Kirghiz in the gloaming 
Whets his bloody blade; 


48 


A Book of Lullabies 

But thy father, brave in battle, 

Guards thee from all ill, 

Cease thy silly infant prattle, 

Hush, my babe, lie still! 

Bitter days shall soon befall thee. 

Peril will betide— 

On a charger fleet and fiery 
Swiftly shalt thou ride, 

And a silken saddle peerless 
I for thee will keep. 

Sleep, my little Cossack, fearless! 

Sleep, my baby, sleep! 

When I think, my blood-begotten, 

Soon a Cossack true. 

Thou wilt leave thy home forgotten, 
Bid me last adieu; 

Ceaseless through long nights of sorrow 
I will wail and weep. 

Tranquilly until the morrow. 

Sleep, my baby, sleep! 

Breathlessly I’ll wait thy coming 
While long days drag by, 

Praying for thy speedy homing, 
Fearing thou wilt die; 

Fearing thou wilt grow a stranger 
To my longing deep— 

Sleep, my fair-one; free from danger. 
Sleep, my baby, sleep! 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 49 

Thee 1^11 give an image holy 
^Gainst all dire dismay; 

To it, faithful, kneeling lowly, 

Fold thine hands and pray! 

It shall keep thee safe in battle 
While I wail and weep. 

Hush thy silly infant prattle, 

Sleep, my baby, sleep! 

Mikhail Yurievitch Lermontoff. 
English version by Mrs. Elizabeth Champney. 

HUSH SONG 

Och, hush ye then, och hush ye — 
There’s herrin’s in the bay. 

An’ you’ll be the wee fisherman 
Some day—some day. 

Och, rest ye then, och rest ye — 

The herrin’s do be small. 

An’ you’re the boy when you’ll be big 
Will catch them all. 

Och, hush ye then, och hush ye — 

The night is dark an’ wet. 

An’ you too wee, och heart o’ mine. 

For fishin’ yet. 

Och, hush ye then, och hush ye —• 

’Tis cowld upon the sea. 

But this wee house is warm itself 
For you an’ me. 


50 


A Book of Lullabies 

Och, sleep ye now, och sleep ye — 

For sure a night will come 
When you’ll be wakin’ on the sea, 

An’ me at home. 

Elizabeth Shane, 

SLUMBER SONG 

Slumber and dream of the fast coming years, 
That are unfolding before thee; 

Dream thou of those whom love endears, 

Who now so fondly watch o’er thee; 

Who now so fondly watch o’er thee. 
Gathering clouds will not fail to o’ertake thee. 
Only a true love will never forsake thee. 

Bide but a little longer! 

Bide but a little longer! 

Bide thou but a little longer! 

Slumber and dream of the splendor of Spring, 
Joy to o’erflowing is given; 

Hark! how the birds so tenderly sing. 

Love reigns on earth as in heaven; 

Love reigns on earth as in heaven. 

Seasons pass o’er thee, but thou art not heeding, 
Thy time of promise towards thee is speeding. 

Bide but a little longer! 

Bide but a little longer! 

Bide thou but a little longer! 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 51 

AN INDIAN LULLABY 

Sleep, my little papoose, sleep on, 

Nor hark to the marsh-bird’s cry; 

The sighing breeze in the forest trees 
Shall be thy lullaby. 

Thy father tracketh the wounded bear, 

The moose to its covert flies; 

But my little papoose can have no care. 
With sleep in his coal-black eyes. 

So, sleep, my little papoose, sleep on. 
Nor hark to the marsh-bird’s cry; 

The sighing breeze in the forest trees 
Shall be thy lullaby. 


Sleep, my little papoose, sleep on. 

Sleep sound on the wigwam floor; 

Soon thy shaft shall find the mountain hind. 
And thy knife be dipped in war. 

The Big Chief camps on the coyote’s trail. 
There’s blood in the western sky ; 

But my little papoose hears not the wail. 
With sleep in his coal-black eye. 

So, sleep, my little papoose, sleep on. 
Nor hark to the bittern’s cry. 

Lest the sombre rhymes in the sachem 
pines 

Should be thy lullaby. 


Claude Bryan. 


52 


A Book of Lullabies 

NORWEGIAN CRADLE-SONG 
Hush, hush! 

Baby grows quiet under mother’s kiss, 
Hush, hush! 

The flower is shutting its bud anew. 

Baby is shutting his eyes up too— 

What, does the rogue peep again at this? 
Good little baby, who will not cry. 

But nestling close in his cradle lie. 

While mother looks down at him, standing 
by. 

Hush, hush! 

Mother is lulling her child, and sings, 
Hush, hush! 

The bird lies safe in his downy nest. 

The babe in his cradle is finding rest; 

He cares not a whit for popes or kings. 

Or lordly castles, high and strong. 

Since under mother’s hand and song 
His world moves peacefully along! 

Hush, hush! 

Baby is sleeping and mother sings. 

Hush, hush! 

No one can harm thee, my darling, here. 
While near is thy mother’s heart, so near! 
But soon the bird will get him wings, 

Fly far away from my shelt’ring breast— 
Can I tell whither, and what the quest. 

Or where at last he will find his rest? 



53 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 
Hush, hush! 

Sleep—and awake under mother's kiss. 
Hush, hush! 

Thine innocence still sleeps sorrow-free. 

And thy mother's eye is over thee; 

» _ 

But when at thy waking thou shalt miss 
That tender watcher sitting by. 

Look then with faith and hope on high. 

Up to a loving Father's eye. 

Natanael Frarisen. 
English version by Alma Strettell. 

LULLABY 

Rockaby, baby, thy cradle is green; 
Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen." 
Rockaby, lullaby, all the day long, 

Down to the land of the lullaby song. 
Babyland never again will be thine. 

Land of all mystery, holy, divine, 
Motherland, otherland. 

Wonderland, underland, 

Land of a time ne'er again to be seen; 
Flowerland, bowerland, 

Airyland, fairyland, 

Rockaby, baby, thy cradle is green. 

Rockaby, baby, thy mother will keep 
Gentle watch over thine azure-eyed sleep; 
Baby can't feel what the mother-heart knows. 
Throbbing its fear o'er your quiet repose. 


54 


A Book of Lullabies 

Mother-heart knows how baby must fight 
Wearily on through the fast-coming night; 
Battle unending, 

Honor defending, 

Baby must wage with the power unseen. 
Sleep now, 0 baby dear! 

God and thy mother near; 

Rockaby, baby, thy cradle is green. 


Rockaby, baby, the days will grow long; 
Silent the voice of the mother-love song ; 
Bowed with sore burdens the man-life must 
own. 

Sorrows that baby must bear all alone. 
Wonderland never can come back again; 
Thought will come soon—and with reason 
comes pain. 

Sorrowland, motherland, 
Drearyland, wearyland, 

Baby and heavenland lying between. 

Smile, then, in motherland. 

Dream in the otherland, 

Rockaby, baby, thy cradle is green. 


AMERICAN CRADLE-SONG 

‘‘ Rock-a-bye, baby, in the tree-top. 

When the wind blows, the cradle will rock; 
When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall; 
And down will come baby, cradle and all.'' 


55 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the meadows in bloom, 
Laugh at the sunbeams that dance in the room; 
Echo the birds with your own baby tune, 

Coo in the sunshine and flowers of June. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, as softly it swings. 

Over the cradle the mother-love sings, 
Brooding and cooing at even or dawn. 

What will it do when the mother is gone? 

Rock-a-bye, baby, so cloudless the skies. 

Blue as the depths of your own laughing eyes. 
Sweet is the lullaby over your nest. 

That tenderly sings little baby to rest. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the blue eyes will dream 
Sweetest when mamma’s eyes over them beam; 
Never again will the world seem so fair— 
Sleep, little baby—there’s sleep in the air. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the blue eyes will burn 
And ache with the woe that your manhood will 
learn; 

Swiftly the years come with sorrow and care. 
With burdens the wee, dimpled shoulders must 
bear. 

Rock-a-bye, baby, there’s coming a day. 

Whose sorrows a mother’s lips can’t kiss away; 
Days when its song will be changed to a moan; 
Crosses that baby must bear all alone. 


56 


A Book of Lullabies 

Rock-a-bye, baby, the meadow’s in bloom; 

May never the frosts pall the beauty in gloom; 
Be thy world ever bright as to-day it is seen ; 
Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green.” 

Robert J. Burdette. 

CRADLE-SONG 

In the embers shining bright, 

A garden grows for thy delight, 

With roses yellow, red, and white. 

But, 0 my child, beware, beware! 

Touch not the blossoms blowing there. 

For every rose a thorn doth bear. 

Richard Watson Gilder. 

A CRADLE-SONG 

Sing it. Mother! sing it low: 

Deem it not an idle lay. 

In the heart ’twill ebb and flow 
All the life-long way. 

Sing it. Mother! softly sing. 

While he slumbers on thy knee; 

All that after-years may bring 
Shall flow back to thee. 

Sing it. Mother, Love is strong! 

When the teare of manhood fall, 
Echoes of thy cradle-song 
Shall its peace recall. 


57 


TJioughts of the Child's Future 

Sing it, Mother! when his ear 
Catcheth first the Voice Divine, 

Dying, he may smile to hear 
What he deemeth thine. 

John B. Tabh. 

MATER AMABILIS 

Down the goldenest of streams. 

Tide of dreams. 

The fair cradled man-child drifts; 

Sways with cadenced motion slow. 

To and fro, 

As the mother-foot poised lightly, falls and 
lifts. 

He, the firstling,—he, the light 
Of her sight,— 

He, the breathing pledge of love, 

’Neath the holy passion lies. 

Of her eyes,— 

Smiles to feel the warm, life-giving ray above. 

She believes that in his vision. 

Skies elysian 

O’er an angel-people shine. 

Back to gardens of delight. 

Taking flight. 

His auroral spirit basks in dreams divine. 

But she smiles through anxious tears; 
Unborn years 


58 


A Book of Lullabies 

Pressing forward, she perceives. 

Shadowy muffled shapes, they come 
Deaf and dumb. 

Bringing what? dry chaff and tares, or full¬ 
eared sheaves? 

What for him shall she invoke? 

Shall the oak 

Bind the man’s triumphant brow? 

Shall his daring foot alight 
On the height? 

Shall he dwell amidst the humble and the 
low? 

Through what tears and sweat and pain. 
Must he gain 

Fruitage from the tree of life? 

Shall it yield him bitter flavor? 

Shall its savor 

Be as manna midst the turmoil and the strife? 

In his cradle slept and smiled 
Thus the child 

Who as Prince of Peace was hailed. 

Thus anigh the mother breast. 

Lulled to rest, 

Child-Napoleon down the lilied river sailed. 

Crowned or crucified—the same 
Glows the flame 


Thoughts of the Child's Future 59 

Of her deathless love divine. 

Still the blessed mother stands, 

In all lands, 

As she watched beside thy cradle and by 
mine. 

Whatso gifts the years bestow. 

Still men know. 

While she breathes, lives one who sees 
(Stand they pure or sin-defiled) 

But the child 

Whom she crooned to sleep and rocked upon 
her knees. 


Emma Lazarus, 


THE PRAYER FOR THE CHILD’S 

WELFARE 

LULLABY 
From the Irish 

I’ll put you, myself, my baby, to slumber. 

Not as ’tis done by the clownish number,— 

A yellow blanket and coarse sheet bringing. 

But in golden cradle that’s softly swinging 
To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my bonnie baby! 

To and fro, lu la lo, 

To and fro, my own sweet baby! 

I’ll put you, myself, my baby, to slumber, 

On sunniest day of the pleasant summer, 

Your golden cradle on smooth lawn laying, 
’Neath murmuring boughs that the birds are 
swaying 

To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my bonnie baby! 

To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my own sweet baby! 

Slumber, my babe! may the sweet sleep woo you. 
And from your slumbers may health come to 
you— 

May all diseases now flee and fear you. 

May sickness and sorrow never come near you! 

60 



The Prayer for the Child's Welfare 61 

To and fro, lu la lo, 

To and fro, my bonnie baby! 

To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my own sweet baby! 

Slumber, my babe! may the sweet sleep woo you, 
And from your slumbers may health come to you, 
May bright dreams come, and come no other. 
And I be never a sonless mother! 

To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my bonnie baby! 

To and fro, lu la lo. 

To and fro, my own sweet baby! 

English version by Dr. George Sigerson. 

MY LITTLE DEAR 

My little dear, so fast asleep, 

Whose arms about me cling, 

What kisses shall she have to keep-. 

While she is slumbering? 

Upon her golden baby-hair, 

The golden dreams Fll kiss 
Which Life spread through my morning 
fair. 

And I have saved, for this. 

Upon her baby eyes I’ll press 
The kiss Love gave to me. 

When his great joy and loveliness 
Made all things fair to see^ 


62 


A Book of Lullabies 

And on her lips, with smiles astir, 

Ah me, what prayer of old 
May now be kissed to comfort her. 
Should Love or Life grow cold. 

Dollie Radford. 


A LULLABY 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep: 

What though men laugh, what though 
men weep? 

What though the wind and rain 
Murmur their rapture or their pain? 

Love watches over thee 
Like the still moon above the sea. 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep: 

What though men toil, what though they 
reap? 

What though the devious days 
Lead radiant lives in darkened ways? 

Sorrow is not for thee. 

Soul of my soul and heart of me. 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep: 

Time in its tenderness shall keep 
Thy sweetly budding soul 
In its divinely wise control; 

Hope sings its song for thee, 

Hope that is now and yet to be. 


The Prayer for the Child's Welfare 63 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep: 

The hours move fast, they rush, they leap; 

Red sunrise, then the noon— 

A life is lived and lost so soon! 

May fate be kind to thee. 

Soul of my soul and heart of me. 

George Edgar Montgomery, 

MY BABY DEAR 

Sleep, little one, in thy tiny bed: 

A white star is hovering overhead: 

A bird flies west through the darkening day: 
Sleep, little one, while I kneel and pray— 
Mother of Jesus, may thy tear 
Never be mine for my baby dear. 

A spirit waits at the door of dream. 

With lips asmile and with eyes agleam. 

To lead into the woods that lie 
Beyond the gates of the evening sky. 
Mother of Jesus, roads are wide; 

Bring him back if he leave my side. 

Go. Fly with him where the bird has flown 
And see the field with the stars o’erstrown ; 
And I will bide in my Land of Bliss 
To bring thee home with a morning kiss. 
Mother of Jesus, thou dost know 
Why it is that I love him so. 

Samuel Abbott. 


64 


A Book of Lullabies 


CRADLE SONG 

0 lullaby, my baby. The bee has gone to sleep; 
The dew is on the clover and peace is on the deep^ 
While mother sings above thee a little slumber 
song, 

And prays beneath her singing, God save my babe 
from wrong. 

0 sleep, my baby, sleep. 


O lullaby, my baby. The stars shine overhead 

To light the way of angels who come about thy 
bed 

To keep their watch above thee until the morning 
breaks. 

And from the dreams they brought him my little 
darling wakes. 

0 sleep, my baby, sleep. 


0 lullaby, my baby: take thou this good-night 
kiss, 

And may it tell thee, darling, what love a mother’^ 
is. 

Take thou this kiss to dream of the while I 
breathe a prayer 

That God who gave shall have thee forever in His 
care. 

0 sleep, my baby, sleep. 


Ebeii E. Rexjord. 


I'he Prayer for the Child's Welfare 65 


CRADLE SONG 

In the winged cradle of sleep I lay 
My darling gently down; 

Kissed and closed are his eyes of gray, 
Under his curls’ bright crown. 

Where, oh, where will he fly and float. 

In the winged cradle of sleep? 

Whom will he meet in the worlds remote, 
While he slumbers soft and deep? 

Warm and sweet as a white blush rose. 

His small hand lies in mine. 

But I cannot follow him where he goes. 
And he gives no word nor sign. 

Keep him safe, ye heavenly powers. 

In dreamland vast and dim. 

Let no ill, through the night’s long hours 
Come nigh to trouble him. 

Give him back, when the dawn shall break. 
With his matchless baby charms. 

With his love and his beauty all awake. 
Into my happy arms! 

Celia Thaxter. 

CUDDLE DOON 

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht 
Wi’ muckle faucht an’ din; 

Oh, try an’ sleep, ye waukrife rogues> 

Your faither’s cornin’ in.” 


66 


• A Book of Lullabies 

They never heed a word I speak; 

I try to gie a froon, 

But aye I hap them up an’ cry, 

0 bairnies, cuddle doon.” 

Wee Jamie wi’ the curly heid— 

He aye sleeps next the wa’— 

Bangs up an’ cries, ‘‘ I want a piece ”; 
The rascal starts them a’. 

I rin an’ fetch them pieces, drinks, 
They stop awee the soun’. 

Then draw the blankets up an’ cry, 

“ Noo, weanies, cuddle doon.” 

But, ere five minutes gang, wee Rab 
Cries oot, frae ’neath the claes, 

Mither, mak’ Tam gie ower at ance, 
He’s kittlin’ wi’ his taes.” 

The mischief’s in that Tam for tricks, 
He’d bother half the toon; 

But aye I hap them up an’ cry, 

“ 0 bairnies, cuddle doon.” 

At length they hear their father’s fit. 
An’, as he steeks the door. 

They turn their faces to the wa’, 

While Tam pretends to snore. 

Hae a’ the weans been gude? ” he asks. 
As he pits aff his shoon; 

The bairnies, John, are in their beds. 
An’ lang since cuddled doon.” 


The Prayer for the Child/s Welfare 67 

An’ just afore we bed oorsels, 

We look at oor wee lambs; 

Tam has his airm roun’ wee Rab’s neck, 
And Rab his airm roun’ Tam’s. 

I lift wee Jamie up the bed, 

An’ as I straik each croon, 

I whisper, till my heart fills up, 

0 bairnies, cuddle doon.” 

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht, 

Wi’ mirth that’s dear to me; 

But soon the big warl’s cark and care 
Will quaten doon their glee. 

Yet, come what will to ilka ane. 

May He who sits aboon. 

Aye whisper, though their pows be bauld, 
0 bairnies, cuddle doon.” 

Alexander Anderson. 

A BLESSING FOR THE BLESSED 

When the sun has left the hill-top. 

And the daisy-fringe is furled. 

When the birds from wood and meadow 
In their hidden nests are curled. 

Then I think of all the babies 
That are sleeping in the world. . . . 

There are babies in the high lands 
And babies in the low. 

There are pale ones wrapped in furry skins 
On the margin of the snow. 

And brown ones naked in the isles. 

Where all the spices grow. 


68 


A Book of Lullabies 

And some are in the palace, 

On a white and downy bed, 

And some are in the garret 

With a clout beneath their head. 

And some are on the cold hard earth, 
Whose mothers have no bread. 

0 little men and women, 

Dear flowers yet unblown— 

O little kings and beggars 
Of the pageant yet unshown— 

Sleep soft and dream pale dreams now. 
To-morrow is your own. 

Though some shall walk in darkness, 

And others in the light. 

Though some shall smile and others weep 
In the silence of the night. 

When Life has touched with many hues 
Your souls now clear and white: 

God save you, little children! 

And make your eyes to see 
His finger pointing in the dark 
Whatever you may be. 

Till one and all, through Life and Death, 
Pass to Eternity. . . . 

Laurence Alma Tadema. 


THE LOVE AND PROTECTION OF 
MOTHER AND FATHER 


FOLK LULLABIES 
English 

My heart is like a fountain true 
That flows and flows with love to you. 

As chirps the lark unto the tree 
So chirps my pretty babe to me. 

And it^s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

There^s not a rose where’er I seek, 

As comely as my baby’s cheek. 

There’s not a comb of honey-bee, 

So full of sweets as babe to me. 

And it’s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

There’s not a star that shines on high. 

Is brighter than my baby’s eye. 

There’s not a boat upon the sea, 

Can dance as baby does to me. 

And it’s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

No silk was ever spun so flne 
As is the hair of baby mine. 

My baby smells more sweet to me 
Than smells in spring the elder tree. 

And it’s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

69 



70 


A Book of Lullabies 

A little fish swims in the well, 

So in my heart does baby dwell. 

A little fiower blows on the tree, 

My baby is the flower to me. 

And it’s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

The Queen has sceptre, crown, and ball. 
You are my sceptre, crown, and all. 

For all her robes of royal silk. 

More fair your skin, as white as milk. 

And it’s 0! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

Ten thousand parks where deer run. 

Ten thousand roses in the sun. 

Ten thousand pearls beneath the sea. 

My baby more precious is to me. 

And it’s O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby. 

Breton 

Toutouie la, la, my little child, 

Toutouie la, la. 

Your mother is here, my little child. 

To rock you softly, little dear. 

Your mother is here, my little lamb. 

She will sing you a little song. 

The other day she wept sorely; 

Now she smiles, the little mother. 

Toutouie la, la, my little bird. 

In the sweet breath of thy rose tree. 


Love and Protection of Mother 71 

To fly to heaven, my little angel, 

Do not spread your little wing. 

Italian 

Drowsily hum, drowsily hum, 
Mother’s own darling! 

Yield thee to sleep. 

She watches beside thee, 

Heedless of cockcrow. 

Or midnight alarum. 

Sardinian 

Duru, duru, duru, lia! 

There’s a pear in my vineyard. 

There’s a pear in the court. 

Who seeks it to steal 
His leg he will break; 

My leave he must seek 

Who dares walk round about there. 

Duru, duru, duru, lia! 

Venetian 

Hope of my heart, in thy cradle reposing. 

Spare her who bore thee and brought thee to life; 
Tired out and weary she sits by thy cradle. 

To sing thee to sleep counts nothing too wearing. 

Bohemian 

Eiapopeia, my baby, sleep on, 

Mother is rocking her darling alone. 
Eiaheia, baby, sleep on. 

Mother will rock thee alone, precious one! 


72 


A Book of Lullabies 

Rest thee, my baby, to slumber beguiled! 
Peacefully rest thee, my beautiful child! 
Eiaheia, darling, sleep on. 

Shut fast thine eyelids, my own precious one! 

A MOTHER’S SONG 

Love me,—I love you. 

Love me, my baby; 

Sing it high, sing it low, 

Sing it as may be. 

Mother’s arms under you, 

Her eyes above you; 

Sing it high, sing it low, 

Love me,—I love you. 

Christina G. Rossetti, 

A MOTHER’S SONG 
From “ Balder ” 

Happy eve, happy eve! 

But the mavis singing in the eve, 

Singeth for the silence of the eve. 

Happy flower, happy flower. 

But the golden secret of the flower. 
Hidden honey sweeter than the flower. 

Happy moon, happy moon. 

But the loving moonlight of the moon. 
Tender wonder fairer than the moon. 


Love and Protection of Mother 73 

Little child, little child, 

As the evening mavis unto me. 

As the twilight mavis unto me. 

Little child, little child. 

As the hidden honey unto me. 

As the golden honey unto me. 

Little child, little child. 

As the wondrous moonlight unto me. 

As the better moonlight unto me. 

Sydney Dobell, 

HUSHING SONG 

Eilidh, Eilidh, 

My bonnie wee lass: 

The winds blow. 

And the hours pass. 

But never a wind 
Can do thee wrong, 

Brown Birdeen, singing 
Thy bird-heart song. 

And never an hour 
But has for thee 

Blue of the heaven 
And green of the sea: 

Blue for the hope of thee, 

Eilidh, Eilidh; 

Green for the joy of thee, 

Eilidh, Eilidh. 


74 


A Book of Lullabies 

Swing in thy nest, then, 

Here on my heart, 

Birdeen, Birdeen, 

Here on my heart, 

Here on my heart! 

Fiona Macleod” (William Sharp). 
CRADLE SONG 

Thy heart and mine are one, my dear, 

At dawn and set of sun; 

When skies are bright, when days are drear. 
Thy heart and mine are one! 

About us move the hapless folk 
Whom paltry things estrange; 

The friends that feel their bond a yoke, 

_ » 

The loves that lightly change; 

But thou and I, my bonny child. 

Their dangers blithely shun. 

Nor can by folly be beguiled,— 

For thou and I are one! 

Florence Earle Coates. 

CRADLE-SONG 

From the Swedish 
(Sung hy Jenny Lind) 

Light and rosy be thy slumbers. 

Rock’d upon thy mother’s breast. 

She can lull thee with her numbers. 

To the cradled heav’n of rest. 


Love and Protection of Mother 

In her heart is love revolving, 

Like the planets or the moon; 
Hopes and pleasures fondly solving, 
Keeping ev’ry thought in tune. 

When thy look her care inviteth, 

All the mother turns to thee. 

And her inmost life delighteth. 
Drinking from thy cup of glee. 
O’er thee now her spirit bendeth; 

Child of promise, cherish’d well! 
With thine own her being blendeth. 
Hallow’d by affection’s spell. 


CRADLE-SONG 
From the Italian 

Sleep, my baby, sleep, my darling. 
While I hush thee with my song 

Sleep, until the new sun rises. 

Sleep in peace the whole night long. 

Slumber without care or sorrow. 

My torment, and ah! my bliss; 

Slumber till the Lord’s own angel 
Wake thee with his gentlest kiss. 

Slumber, slumber, slumber! 

Dream of birds, of sun and flowers. 
Dream of all that’s bright and fair; 

Of the sky, blue after showers. 

And the rainbow in the air. 


75 


76 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, my babe, in thy existence, 

All my joy and sorrow lies; 

Thy dear smiles, thy childish prattle, 
Are thy mother’s paradise. 

Slumber, slumber, slumber! 

MOTHER’S SONG 

Don’t grow old too fast, my sweet! 

Stay a little while 
In this pleasant baby-land. 

Sunned by mother’s smile. 

Grasp not with thy dimpled hands 
At the world outside; 

They are still too rosy soft. 

Life too cold and wide. 

Be not wistful, sweet blue eyes! 

Find your rest in mine. 

Which through life shall watchful be 
To keep all tears from thine. 

Be not restless, little feet! 

Lie within my hand; 

Far too round these tiny soles 
Yet to try to stand. 

For a while be mine alone. 

So helpless and so dear; 

By-and-by thou must go forth, 

But now, sweet, slumber here! 


Love and Protection of Mother 77 

SLUMBER SONG 

Thou little child, with tender, clinging arms. 
Drop thy sweet head, my darling, down and 
rest 

Upon my shoulder, rest with all thy charms; 

Be soothed and comforted, be loved and blessed. 

Against thy silken, honey-colored hair 
I lean a loving cheek, a mute caress; 

Close, close I gather thee and kiss thy fair 
White eyelids, sleep so softly doth oppress. 

Dear little face, that lies in calm content 
Within the gracious hollow that God made 
In every human shoulder, where He meant 
Some tired head for comfort should be laid! 

Most like a heavy-folded rose thou art. 

In summer air reposing, warm and still. 

Dream thy sweet dreams upon my quiet heart; 

I watch thy slumber; naught shall do thee ill. 

Celia Thaxter. 

SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Fondly I keep 

Watch o’er my darling when darkness is nigh. 

Have no alarm. 

Nothing will harm; 

Slumber, my little one, by, baby, by. 

7 . L, Jones. 


78 A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY 

My heart makes mock at the long day^s harms, 

Thou dearest one! 

I shall hold thee safe in my own glad arms, 

When day is done. 

Peace, that my life doth fill when fraught 
With toil for thine— 

Joy, that my soul doth thrill at thought 

That thou art mine— 

Would that thy tender life might share 
Without the toil, without the care; 

Peace that thy mother hath, 

Joy that thy mother hath, 

Dearest one! 


So sweet is rest when the day grows late— 

But, ah! not best; 

Better thy drowsy head’s dear weight 

Upon my breast. 

Shadows that pass, are the long day’s harms; 

How should I weep 

When at evening-tide in my own glad arms 

Thou liest asleep? 

Far through the years’ unceasing flow. 
Would I might nightly hold thee so! 

Hush thee, thou dearest one. 

Rest thee, thou dearest one. 

Rest. 

Nannie Fitzhugh Maclean, 



FKOM a C<)1'L,1:V J^JtlAT, 

Copyright by Cukti8 & Camep.on, Bostox, Mass. 


MADONNA. 

From Painting by AlbeH Neuhuys. 








JLove and Protection of Mother 79 
A LULLABY 

Close to the heart that is throbbing in love for 
you, 

Innocent, sleep. 

Mother love watches in tenderness over you, 

Quietly sleep. 

Circled by arms that are guarding thy purity, 
While from the ocean great waves of futurity 
Impotent break on thy bars of security. 

Little one, sleep. 

Fresh from the portals of Heaven’s infinity. 

Peacefully rest. 

Peace was thy gift from the hand of Divinity— 

Exquisite rest. 

Tuned is the heart to the heavenly harmony. 
Love hath imprinted its ravishing charm on 
thee. 

Innocent soul, with no vestige of harm in thee. 

Sweet is thy rest. 

Willis Walton Franz. 


RIZPAH’S LULLABY 

Sleep, sleep,—the south wind blows. 
Rocking the bee in the thornless rose. 
The baby birds have gone to bed— 
The drowsy bluebell hangs her head— 
Bluebell and baby—bee and rose. 


80 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep—the south wind softly blows; 
The tide ebbs—the tide flows— 

Night comes—night goes; 

While the stars their still watch keep— 
Lullaby, baby—sleep—sleep! 

Hush, hush, thy restless cries; 

Close the drowsy, bluebell eyes; 

On thy mother’s love-warm breast 
Fold thy hidden wings and rest; 

Till the blossom-eyes unclose— 

Sleep; the south wind softly blows; 

In the mother-heart, my rose. 

Love comes, but never goes— 
Mother-love has tides so deep! 
Lullaby, baby—sleep—sleep 1 

LULLABY 

Lay thy head upon this pillow, 

With its curly golden crown. 

Rocking, swaying like the willow! 

Fairies close thine eyelids down— 
On thy sweet lips lay a blessing. 

With a fairies’ good-night kiss! 

But no touch of their caressing 
Ever can be sweet as this! 
Lul-la-by-o, by-lo-baby! 

Angels brought thee from above; 
Deeming any gift of Heaven 
Safe within a mother’s love! 



Love and Protection of Mother 81 

Cheeks like apples, fair and rosy, 

Pillowed on thy mother’s breast! 

Never babe had couch more cozy, 

Never love a sweeter rest. 

Artist, can you tell the story? 

Can you paint a face like this. 

Haloed with an infant glory? 

Can you paint a mother’s kiss? 
Lul-la-by-o, by-lo-baby I 
Angels brought thee from above; 
Deeming any gift of Heaven 
Safe within a mother’s love! 

Fred Emerson Brooks, 


HUSHABY 

Hushaby, hushaby, 

Baby, do not weep. 

On thy downy pillow lie. 

Softly, softly sleep. 

Hushaby, hushaby, 

Now thine eyelids close; 

While thy mother sitting nigh. 
Watches thy repose. 

Hushaby, hushaby. 

Slumber sweet be giv’n; 

On thy downy pillo>w lie, 

Precious gift from heav’n. 

Thomas Hastings. 


82 


A Book of Lullabies 

CRADLE SONG 

Low in the troubled west, 

Storm clouds are trailing, 

And from the woodland nest. 

Night birds are wailing. 

Oh, baby, soft and warm. 

On my breast lying. 

What do I care for storm. 

Or daylight dying? 

What for the night so drear, 
Waking or sleeping. 

When thou art folded here 
Safe in my keeping. 

SLEEP, BABY DEAR 

All is still and restful now. 

So, my darling, slumber thou! 

Only sighs the wind anear, 

Lullaby, sleep, baby dear. 

Softly close each azure eye. 

Like twin Maybuds let them lie; 
And when morning shines anew. 
They, like flowers, shall open, too. 

Thus while flowers like thee I greet. 
Softly-kissing eyelids sweet, 

Why need mother look without. 
Though the spring is all about? 


Love and Protection of Mother 83 

SLEEP, SLEEP, MY BABE 

Sleep, sleep, my babe, night will not harm thee. 
Nor care disturb thy happy rest; 

Here shalt thou lie, here shalt thou warm thee. 
Safe sheltered on thy mother’s breast. 

Sleep, baby, sleep, my heart thy pillow; 

Thee love from evil hap shall guard; 

The moon hangs bright o’er yonder willow; 
Above, dear God keeps watch and ward. 

0, baby mine, what peace infolds thee! 

Beneath thee is Love’s tender arm ; 

The Gentle Shepherd sweetly holds thee— 

He shields His helpless lambs from harm. 

Then sleep, my babe, no tongue shall chide 
thee ; 

On thee shall blow no wind unblest; 

0 baby, in my heart I hide thee, 

There make thy bed, there take thy rest. 

James B, Kenyon, 

LULLABY 

Sleep, my baby, sleep, my boy; 

Rest your little weary head; 

’Tis your mother rocks her baby 
In his little cradle bed. 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby! 


84 


A Book of Lullabies 

All the little birds are sleeping, 

Every one has gone to rest, 

And my precious one is resting 
In his pretty cradle' nest. 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby! 

Sleep, 0, sleep, my darling boy; 

Wake to-morrow fresh and strong; 
’Tis your mother sits beside you. 
Singing you a cradle song. 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby! 

Eliza Lee Follen, 

SLEEP, BELOVED, SLEEP 

Sleep, beloved, sleep; 

Round thee watch we keep; 

List how the rain doth fall. 

How the neighbor’s dog doth call; 

He hath bitten some one straying, 
That’s the cause of all this baying, 
Round thee careful watch we keep, 
Sleep, beloved, sleep. 

Close thy weary eye; 

Wind doth rustle by; 

Hare doth lift a list’ning ear. 

As the hunter’s foot draws near; 

Coat of green is hunter wearing 
But the hare is little caring; 

Hunter cannot come him nigh. 

Close thy weary eye. 


Love and Protection of Mother 

Sleep till morn arise 
In yon azure skies; 

Watch-dog now hath ceased to bark; 
Beggar hides where all is dark; 
Little dove her young is tending 
Where no hunter’s foot is wending; 
Hare is hid in verdure deep, 

Sleep, my darling, sleep. 


BABY DEAR 

Cradle Song of the Buccaneer’s Wife 

In thy hammock gently sleeping. 
Dearest baby, have no fear; 
While thy mother watch is keeping 
Danger never can come near. 

I am here 
Baby dear. 

Mother’s eyes 
Watch her prize; 

Pois’nous wing 
Nor noisome sting 
Shall harm thy sleep, 

Tho’ I may weep, 

Weep for one that’s far from me 
Far across the stormy sea. 

Let me dash the tear away! 
Better far to hope and pray; 

Oh, solace rare! 

A tear may mingle with a pray’r, 


85 


86 


A Book of Lullabies 

A pray’r for thee, my baby dear, 

And one, alas! that is not here. 

Baby dear, baby dear. 

In thy hammock calmly swinging, 
Gently is thy mother singing 
Lullaby to thee. 

Samuel Lover, 


A LULLABY 

Suppose I put my baby to sleep 
In a nest in a tree-top high, 

Where the wind would blow it to and fro 
And sing this lullaby: 

Rest, rest, babe in a nest I 
Little white bird in a tree! 

The old tree shall keep a watch o’er thy sleep, 
The little leaves guard over thee; 

And one little leaf lays its palm on thy 
brow— 

Soft, cool little leaf— 

Go to sleep, baby—now! now! soon ceaseth 
thy grief. 

Sh! Sh! Sh! ” say the leaves—that is their 
lullaby; 

But old tree-mother and green little leaves, 

My baby still would cry. 

Suppose I put my baby to sleep 
In a tiny boat on the sea, 

Wh^re the waters would move it softly with 
love. 


Love and Protection of Mother 87 

And sing this melody: 

Waft, waft, wee little craft. 

Afloat on the silver sea! 

Rock on the deep, white little one 1 Sleep! 
Canst trust thyself with me. 

For each little wave holds a star in its hands. 
To frighten away the dark; 

And a far-off wind brings a song from the 
lands,— 

Hear little baby! Hark! 

Sh! Sh! Sh! breathe the waves—that is their 
lullaby; 

But kind sea-mother and gray little waves, 

My baby still would cry. 

Suppose I put my baby to sleep 
Upon her pillow white. 

Where I can watch the golden head 
Gleam through the lonely night; 

Not near enough! Not close enough! 

I strain her to my breast. 

Now Rosy-lips! Now Finger-tips! 

Now Weary-lids we rest! 

Thou and mother the whole night through; 
All night mother and thou; 

At last my hungry arms are filled; 

Thy homesick cry at last is stilled; 

We both can sleep—sleep now! 

With a smile on my lips for thy little hands. 
And a prayer in my heart that understands. 
For Hush! oh hush! ” says a voice in the sky. 
And we—we do not cry. 

Kate Wisner McClusky. 


88 


A Book of Lullabies 


LITTLE BOATIE ” 

A Slumber-Song for the Fisherman^s Child 

Furl your sail, my little boatie; 

Here’s the haven still and deep, 

Where the dreaming tides in-streaming 
Up the channel creep. 

Now the sunset breeze is dying; 

Hear the plover, landward flying. 

Softly down the twilight crying; 

Come to anchor, little boatie, 

In the port of Sleep. 

Far away, my little boatie. 

Roaring waves are white with foam; 
Ships are striving, onward driving. 

Day and night they roam. 

Father’s at the deep-sea trawling. 

In the darkness, rowing, hauling. 

While the hungry winds are calling,— 
God protect him, little boatie. 

Bring him safely home! 

Not for you, my little boatie. 

Is the wide and weary sea; 

You’re too slender, and too tender. 

You must bide with me. 

All day long you have been straying 
Up and down the shore and playing; 
Come to harbor, no delaying! 

Day is over, little boatie. 

Night falls suddenly. 


89 


Love and Protection of Mother 

Furl your sail, my little boatie, 

Fold your wings, my weary dove. 
Dews are sprinkling, stars are twinkling 
Drowsily above. 

Cease from sailing, cease from rowing; 
Rock upon the dream-tide, knowing 
Safely o’er your rest are glowing, 

All the night, my little boatie, 
Harbor-lights of love. 

Henry Van Dyke, 

SONG FOR A BABE 

Little babe, while burns the west, 
Warm thee, warm thee, in my breast; 
While the moon doth shine her best. 
And the dews distil not. 

All the land so sad, so fair— 

Sweet its toils are, blest its care. 

Child, we may not enter there! 

Some there are that will not. 

Fain would I thy margins know, 

Land of work, and land of snow; 

Land of life, whose rivers flow 
On, and on, and stay not. 

Fain would I thy small limbs fold. 
While the weary hours are told. 

Little babe in cradle cold. 

Some there are that may not. 

Jean Ingelow, 


90 A Book of Lullabies 

AT THE DREAMLAND GATE 

The winds go down in peace, dear child, 

The birds are circling o’er the sea; 

The Dreamland gate before thee swings 
With murmur soft as drowsy bee; 

Now enter in, dear child, nor fear, nor fear lest 
harm should come to thee. 

Beyond the gate I cannot go. 

But here I’ll stand, nor stir away. 

While, with the Dreamland children, thou 
Shalt frolic till the break of day; 

Fear not to enter in, dear child; for close beside 
the gate I’ll stay. 

And if in Dreamland’s lovely woods 
Some harmless giant lay in wait. 

Some straggler from thy fairy tales. 

He’ll take to flight disconsolate— 

Just say, Away! or I will tell my mother at the 
Dreamland gate! ” 

Mary E. Wilkins, 

GOOD-NIGHT 

Little baby, lay your head 
On your pretty cradle-bed; 

Shut your eye-peeps, now the day 
And the light are gone away; 

All the clothes are tucked in tight; 

Little baby dear, good-night. 


Love and Protection of Mother 91 

Yes, my darling, well I know 
How the bitter wind doth blow; 

And the winter’s snow and rain 
Patter on the window-pane: 

But they cannot come in here, 

To my little baby dear; 

For the window shutteth fast. 

Till the stormy night is past; 

And the curtains warm are spread 
Round about her cradle-bed: 

So till morning shineth bright. 

Little baby dear, good-night. 

Jane Taylor. 


A LULLABY 

Sleep, my darling, sleep! 
Thunders the pitiless storm; 
Fiercely at window and door 
Wrestle the winds and roar: 
Thy slumber is deep and warm. 
Sleep, my darling, sleep! 

Sleep, my baby, sleep! 

Over thy beautiful head. 
Lightly, softly, and close. 
Sweeter than lily or rose. 

Thy mother’s kisses are shed. 
Sleep, my baby, sleep! 


92 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, my darling, sleep! 

Safe in these arms, my own. 

Summer shall wrap thee round; 
Never harsh touch or sound 
Break through that charmed zone. 
Sleep, then, darling, sleep! 

Celia Thaxter, 


LULLABY 

From Erminie ” 

Dear mother, in dreams I see her 
With loved face sweet and calm. 

And hear her voice 
With love rejoice, 

When nestling on her arm. 

I think how she softly press’d me. 

Of the tears in each glist’ning eye. 
As her watch she’d keep. 

When she rock’d to sleep 

Her child with this lullaby: 

Bye, bye, drowsiness o’ertaking. 

Pretty little eyelids, sleep— 

Bye, bye, watching till thou’rt waking. 
Darling, be thy slumber deep! 

Bye, bye, bye, bye! 

Ah! e’en when her life was ebbing. 

Her words were all of me; 

My future years 
Were all her fears; 



Love and Protection of Mother 93 

Her fate ’twas not to see. 

My father, I hear you weeping, 

As, in sorrow standing by. 

Comes my mother’s plaint 
In her accents faint, 

This tender, sweet lullaby: 

Bye, bye, drowsiness o’ertaking, 

Pretty little eyelids, sleep— 

Bye, bye, watching till thou’rt waking. 
Darling, be thy slumber deep! 

Bye, bye, bye, bye! 


THE CRADLE OF GOLD 

I’d rock my own sweet childie to rest 
In a cradle of gold on the bough of the 
willow, 

To the shoheen ho! of the Wind of the West 
And the lulla lo! of the blue sea billow. 
Sleep, baby dear! 

Sleep without fear! 

Mother is here beside your pillow. 

I’d put my own sweet childie to float ^ 

In a silver boat on the beautiful river. 
Where a shoheen! whisper the white cascades 
And a lulla lo! the green flags shiver. 

Sleep, baby dear! 

Sleep without fear! 

Mother is here with you forever! 



94 


A Book of Lullabies 

Shoheen ho! to the rise and fall 

Of mother’s bosom, ’tis sleep has bound you! 
And oh, my child, what cozier nest 
For rosier rest could love have found you? 
Sleep, baby dear! 

Sleep without fear! 

Mother’s two arms are close around you! 

Alfred Perceval Graves. 

LULLABY 

Softly sink in slumbers golden. 

Warm as nestled birdlings lie, 

Safe in mother’s arms enfolden, 

While I sing thy lullaby. 

Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby. 

Tho’ the night doth darken, darken. 

Light will mother’s slumbers lie; 

Still my heart will hearken, hearken. 

Lest my wee thing wake and cry. 
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby. 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby. 

At thy golden gates of slumber. 

Stands my spirit tiptoe high. 

Filled with yearnings without number. 

In thine inner heaven to fly. 

Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby. 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby. 


Love and Protection of Mother 95 

In that world of mystic breathing, 

Spirit Sentinels, stand by! 

Winnow, winnow, o’er my wee thing. 
Wings of Love that hover nigh. 

Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby. 

Sleep! and drink the dew delicious! 

Sleep! till the morrow dawn is high! 
Sleep with mother near her precious. 
Wake! with mother waiting nigh. 
Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, lullaby. 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby. 

Gerald Massey, 

AN INDIAN LULLABY 

Rock-a-by, rock-a-by, little brown baby. 

Safe on the green branch so high. 

Shut your bright black eyes and go to sleep, 
baby. 

While the wood-wind sings, Hush-a-by-by.” 

Hush-a-by-hush,” ’tis the voice of the forest, 

“ Hush-a-by-hush,” the leaves seem to say, 
Hush-a-by-hush,” sing the wild birds in chorus. 
Up in the tree-tops so far, far away. 

Rock-a-by, rock-a-by, swinging so gently. 

See, from the dark wmods so cool and so deep. 
The little gray squirrel, the timid brown rabbit, 
Are coming to see if papoose is asleep. 


96 


A Book of Lullabies 

Mother will watch by her little brown baby, 
Swinging aloft on the green branch so high, 
No harm can come to the little brown baby, 
Hush-a-by, rock-a-by, hush-a-by-by. 

THE MOTHER TO HER INFANT 

Slumber, my darling, no danger is near. 

Thy mother sits by thee to guard thy repose; 
Though the wind roars aloud, not a breath reaches 
here. 

To shake the white curtains which round thee 
do close: 

Then slumber, my darling, and sleep without fear. 
Thou art safe from all danger, my dearest, while 
here. 

What is it the angels do unto thee say 

When thou dost lie smiling so sweet in thy 
sleep? 

Are they trying, my sweetest, to lure thee away, 
And leave me alone in my sorrow to weep? 

Oh! sometimes I fancy they whisper thy name. 
And would fain bear thee back to the land whence 
they came. 

Then never, my darling, when thou growest old, 
Forget her who on thy sweet infancy smiled, 
To whom thou wert dearer than jewels and gold. 
Who studied thy looks and thy wishes, my child. 
Who, when thou didst need her, was never away, 
In health or in sickness, by night or by day. 

Thomas Miller. 


Love and Protection of Mother 97 


LULLABY 

Sleep, my baby, all the night! 

Star and star for candle-light 
Shining softly all about. 

Not a breeze to blow them out. 

Not a saucy cloud but soon 
Sails from off the placid moon. 

Moon and star the watch will keep: 
Go to sleep! 

Go to sleep! 

Go to sleep, my baby dear: 

Never fear! 

If the wind blow out the light,— 

If the moon go out of sight. 

All the hours of dark and dew 
Will the mother watch by you. 
Mother still her babe will keep: 

Go to sleep! 

Go to sleep! 

Wendell Phillips Stafford. 


LULLABY-0, BY-0, BABE 

When all the little birds have gone to rest 
An’ night win’s whispeh soft an’ low; 
When red ai>’ gold am glowin’ in the west. 
Then mammy holds her baby lovin’, so. 


98 


A Book of Lullabies 

An’ sings to him this lullaby, 
Lullaby-o, sleepy boy-o, lullaby: 


Silvah moon am sailin’ low, 

By-o babe, mah babe; 

Off to slumbah Ian’ yoh go, 

By-o babe, mah babe. 

Baby dreams will come to yo’. 

Keep yoh happy long night through 
Whilst yoh mammy watches yo’, 
By-o babe, mah babe.” 


The rivah’s lappin’ soft upon the shore. 

Shy whip-po’-will am callin’ sweet. 

While star-gleams come a-peepin’ more an’ 
more, 

or mammy cuddles warm the little feet 
An’ sings to him this lullaby, 

Lullaby-o, sleepy boy-o, lullaby: 


Silvah moon am sailin’ high, 

By-o babe, mah babe; 

Slumbah Ian’ am cornin’ nigh, 

By-o babe, mah babe. 

Happy dreams am cornin’ fast. 
Drowsy eyes am closed at last. 

All the troubled day am past, 

By-o babe, mah babe.” 

Harry Noyes Pratt. 


Love and Protection of Mother 99 


YOU^S SWEET TO YO’ MAMMY JES^ 

DE SAME 

Shet yo’ eyes, ma little pickaninny, go to sleep, 
Mammy’s watchin’ by you all de w’ile; 

Daddy is a-wu’kin’ down in de cott’n fiel’, 
Wu’kin’ fu’ his little honey chile. 

An’ yo’ mammy’s heart is jes’ a-brimmin’ full o’ 
lub 

Fu’ you f’om yo’ head down to yo’ feet; 

Oh, no mattah w’at some othah folks may t’ink 
o’ you. 

To yo’ mammy’s heart you’s mighty sweet. 

You’s sweet to yo’ mammy jes’ de same; 

Dat’s why she calls you Honey fu’ yo’ name. 

Yo’ face is black, dat’s true. 

An’ yo’ hair is woolly, too. 

But, you’s sweet to yo’ mammy jes’ de same. 

Up der in de big house w’ere dey lib so rich an’ 
gran’ 

Dey’s got chillen dat dey lubs, I s’pose; 

Chillen dat is purty, oh, but dey can’t lub dem 
mo’ 

Dan yo’ mammy lubs you, heaben knows! 

Dey may t’ink you’s homely, an’ yo’ clo’es dey 
may be po’. 

But yo’ shinin’ eyes, dey hoi’s a light 
Dat, my Honey, w’en you opens dem so big an’ 
roun’. 

Makes you lubly in yo’ mammy’s sight. 

Janies Weldon Johnson. 


100 


A Book of Lullabies 


LULLABY 

The rooks’ nests do rock on the tree-top, 
Where few foes can stand; 

The martin’s is high and is deep 
In the steep clift of sand; 

But thou, love, a-sleeping where footsteps 
Might come to thy bed. 

Hast father and mother to watch thee 
And shelter thy head. 

Lullaby, Lilybrow, lie asleep; 

Blest be thy rest. 

And some birds do keep under roofing 
Their young from the storm; 

And some wi’ nest-broodings o’ moss 
And o’ wool, do lie warm. 

And we will look well to the house-roof 
That o’er thee might leak, 

And the beast that might beat on thy window 
Shall not smite thy cheek. 

Lullaby, Lilybrow, lie asleep; 

Blest be thy rest. 

William Barnes, 


LULLABY 

O’er the haycocks comes the moon. 
Father will be coming soon 
Through the clover and the dew. 
Home to mother and to you. 


L>ove and Protection of Mother 101 

In the barnyard he will stay, 

Just to put his scythe away. 

Cows and sheep wait for hun, too ; 
Dearer than his flocks are you. 


Arms that labor all day long 
Are for loving very strong. 

Hearts that bear the heat of Junes 
Know so many pretty tunes. 

Fireflies and flre-stars 

Twinkle through the pasture bars, 

Miles of meadows are at rest; 

Sleep, for father loves you best. 

Alice Archer SewalL 


AMANTIUM IRM 

In going to my naked bed as one that would have 
slept, 

I heard a wife sing to her child, that long before 
had wept ; 

She sighed sore and sang full sweet, to bring the 
babe to rest. 

That would not cease but cried still, in sucking at 
her breast. 

She was full weary of her watch, and grieved with 
her child. 

She rocked it and rated it, till that on her it 
smiled. 


102 A Booh of Lullabies 

Then did she say, Now have I found this proverb 
true to prove, 

The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of 
love. 

Then took I paper, pen and ink, this proverb for 
to write. 

In register for to remain of such a worthy wight: 

As she proceeded thus in song unto her little brat. 

Much matter utter’d she of weight, in place 
whereas she sat: 

And proved plain there was no beast, nor creature 
bearing life. 

Could well be known to live in love without dis¬ 
cord and strife: 

Then kissed she her little babe, and sware by God 
above. 

The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of 
love. 

She said that neither king nor prince nor lord 
could live aright. 

Until their puissance they did prove, their man¬ 
hood and their might. 

When manhood shall be matched so that fear can 
take no place, 

Then weary works make warriors each other to 
embrace, 

And left their force that failed them, which did 
consume the rout, 

That might before have lived their time, their 
strength and nature out: 


Love and Protection of Mother 103 

Then did she sing as one that thought no man 
could her reprove, 

The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of 
love. 


She said she saw no fish nor fowl, nor beast within 
her haunt. 

That met a stranger in their kind, but could give 
it a taunt: 

Since flesh might not endure, but rest must wrath 
succeed. 

And force the fight to fall to play in pasture where 
they feed, 

So noble nature can well end the work she hath 
begun. 

And bridle well that will not cease her tragedy in 
some: 

Thus in song she oft rehearsed, as did her well 
behove. 

The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of 
love. 


I marvel much pardy (quoth she) for to behold 
the rout. 

To see man, woman, boy and beast, to toss the 
world about: 

Some kneel, some crouch, some beck, some check, 
and some can smoothly smile. 

And some embrace others in arm, and there think 
many a wile. 


104 


A Book of LuLiables 

Some stand aloof at cap and knee, some humble 
and some stout, 

Yet are they never friends in deed until they once 
fall out: 

Thus ended she her song and said, before she did 
remove. 

The falling out of faithful friends renewing is of 
love. 


Richard Edwardes. 


THE PROTECTION OF THE 
HEAVENLY POWERS 


FOLK LULLABIES 
Italian 

Sleep, white little angel of God, a lullaby 
The dear Madonna sings you from on high; 
A lullaby that tells of holy things. 

From heaven, the dear Madonna, to you sings. 

Sicilian 

A-la-16, my son is a beauty! 

His face is like a lily; 

His name is a charm; 

The angels bestowed it; 

The priest gave his blessing. 

With bell, book, and stole. 


A-la-16, the Sanctus has rung. 

The priest at the altar 
The Mass doth intone; 

Sleep, baby, sleep wdth the Lord. 

A-la-16, good fortune await thee, 

Shut closely thine eyelids and slumber ; 
^Tis the hour of repose. 

And sleep must seal up thine eyes. 
A-la-16, my heart’s own beloved 
Will not sleep unless sung to; 

105 



106 


A Book of Lullabies 

A-la-16, my sweetest of treasures, 

Sleep wrap thee as long as I would, 

As long as I would and God wills; 
A-la-16, this holy baby must slumber. 
Till the church bells to-morrow. 

At mid-day with clamour. 

The country-side fill; 

May sleep thee thus visit, A-la-lo. 

Venetian 

Sleep, a ni-na-na, a nice long sleep. 

Close thine eyes and fall asleep. 

A sleep to last the whole night long; 

God give thee joy and good luck. 

Good luck and good fortune; 

The mother who bore thee is by thy cradle; 
She’s by thy cradle to rock and to sing. 

Till thou sleep’st she’ll not desert thee; 

To God’s guard she will leave thee 
Should Fate call her hence. 

Danish 

Now sleep, my baby, sweetly sleep. 

Come shut your eyelids to! 

Our Father God, in Heaven above. 

Will keep guard o’er you. 

He sends His angels down to stand 
Above your cradle near; 

Then, baby, shut your eyes in peace, 
God’s eyes are open, dear. 


The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 107 

German 

High up on the mountain the wind bloweth wild, 
There sitteth Our Lady and rocketh her child, 
Her snow-white hand rocks the cradle high, 
Nor needs she a cord to rock it by. 

Come, Sleep draws near, 

Sleep, Baby dear! 

French 

Hush, my baby, sleep; 

Soon my little child will slumber. 

Hush 1 don’t even peep. 

But go right to sleep, my dear. 

Holy Virgin, let me pray. 

Rock my little child to sleep. 

That he soon may crawl and creep. 

And may call: Papa,—Mamma. 


Foolish Wide Eyes! Lullaby! 

Now, Saint Catherine, draw nigh. 

Put to sleep my little one 
Till her fifteenth year be done! 

When the fifteen years are sped. 

Then my daughter must be wed! 

Spanish 

Slumber, slumber, darling, the old mocking-bird 
is singing: 

Hicho, chimicho, hicho, chimicho; tuma coro, 
tuma coro, bimbambom! 


108 A Book of Lullabies 

The moon shines bright, and the snake darts swift 
and light; 

I see five baby bullocks, and a calf, young and 
white. 

The moon was a-chewing a mellow Indian fig; 
The sun was gobbling a cabbage big. 

And out in the hallway the Virgin sits alone, 
Sewing a cloak for our dear Lord, her son. 

Greek 

Santa Maria! cover the child, 

Santa Sophia! sing him asleep! 

Walk him about if the day is mild. 

And give him at Nature’s face a peep. 

Let him see how the trees are in bloom. 

And hear how nightingales trill their lay; 
Then bring him back to his father’s room. 

Or else we shall have the devil to pay. 

For soon his mother would rush in tears; 

The carelessness of a single hour 
Become the seed of wretched years. 

And she be sick, and her milk be sour. 

English version by C.B. Sheridan. 

LULLABY 
Rest, my babe, rest! 

Under the pale stars dim clouds are rifting, 
Over the long trees breezes are lifting; 


The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 109 

Oh, baby, baby, babe of mine. 

Hush now to slumber, heart divine! 
Though fears assail, though griefs betide, 
Yet God’s dear arms are very wide. 

And mother’s love is thine; 

So rest, my baby, rest 1 

LULLABY 

0 sleep, sweet infant, for we all must sleep,— 
And wake like babies, that we may wake with 
Him 

Who watches still His own from harm to keep. 
And o’er them spreads the wings of cherubim. 

Hartley Coleridge. 

LULLABY 

Evening shades are falling; 

Time to go to rest; 

Stars are softly calling 
Darling to her rest. 

Sv/eet the sleep before thee 
Till morning light; 

God in heav’n watch o’er thee. 

My love, good-night. 

Time to go to bed, love. 

Lay thee down to sleep; 

Weary little head, love, 

God will safely keep. 


110 


A Book of Lullabies 

Now the little kiss, love, 

Arms clasp so tight; 
Pleasant dreams of bliss, love; 
My love, good-night. 


CRADLE SONG 
From the Arabic 

Sleep, my eye, sleep, sleep a slumber hale. 
Like pilgrims in the Meena vale; 

Sweetly rest till morning light. 

My little farmer boy so bright; 

Beauty mine supernal. 

Like sweet flowers vernal; 

Kept safe in the stronghold by God in the 
skies, 

Kept safe in the stronghold by God in the 
skies. 


Sleep, my eye, oh! sleep a slumber sweet! 
May sorrow ne’er thy eyesight meet; 

In thy cradle rest thy head. 

Soft in the little silken bed; 

Thy God will defend thee. 

Fortune may attend thee. 

The Lord of the heavens will His promise 
fulfil. 

The Lord of the heavens will His promise 
fulfil. 


The Protection of the Pleavenly Powers 111 

LULLABY 
From the Welsh 

Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber. 

All through the night; 

Guardian angels God will lend thee. 

All through the night; 

Soft the drowsy hours are creeping. 

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping. 

Mother dear her watch is keeping. 

All through the night. 

God is here, thou’lt not be lonely. 

All through the night; 

Tis not I who guards thee only. 

All through the night. 

NighLs dark shades will soon be over. 

Still my watchful care shall hover, 

God with me His watch is keeping. 

All through the night. 

LULLABY 
From the French 

Sleep, sleep, my darling, 

Sleep tranquilly. 

Mother is watching. 

Praying for thee. 

May holy angels 
On wings of light. 

Bring to my baby. 

Dreams fair and bright. 

Dodo, my darling, peacefully sleep. 


112 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, sleep, my darling. 

Sleep tranquilly. 

Thy heav’nly Father 
Careth for thee. 

In thy soft cradle 
Peacefully sleep; 

While thou dost slumber. 

Watch He will keep. 

Dodo, my darling, peacefully sleep. 

GOOD-NIGHT 
From the German 
Good-night! 

Be thy cares forgotten quite! 

Day approaches to its close; 

Weary nature seeks repose. 

Till the morning dawns in light, 
Good-night! 

Go to rest! 

Close thine eyes in slumber blest! 

Now ’tis still and quiet all; 

Hear we but the watchman’s call. 

And the night is still and blest. 

Go to rest! 

Good-night! 

Slumber till the morning light! 

Slumber till the dawn of day 
Brings its sorrow with its ray. 

Sleep without or fear or fright! 

Our Father wakes! good-night! good-night! 


The Proteciion of the Heavenly Powers 113 

LULLABY 

Now by low, baby, and slumber sweet and soundly, 
Your tiny bed be of violets soft and even. 

Your downy pillow of silk, smooth and shiny, 

And all the bedclothes of golden sunbeams 
woven! 

Now bylow, baby, and slumber soon will find you! 
My darling daughter, now sleep and please your 
mother. 

For she is weary with long rocking your cradle 
All night and day, and one hour like the other. 

Now bylow, baby, my love, my darling Ninna, 
And may the Father repose and comfort bring 
you! 

Now fall asleep, and a lullaby together 

The Father, Son and Holy Ghost shall sing you. 

O Holy Saviour, who art my consolation. 

Thou who didst comfort two women sore 
afflicted, 

Consoler Thou of Martha and Mary, 

Be baby and mother by Thy love protected! 

Thy consolation was giv’n to Mary and Martha, 
In mercy daughter and mother Thou invitest! 

Now bylow, baby, and over you a shower 

Shall fall of golden rings and pearls the bright¬ 
est. 


114 


A Book of Lullabies' 

CRADLE SONG 

’Tis night on the mountain, 

’Tis night on the sea, 

Mild dewdrops are kissing 
The bloom-covered lea; 

Like plumes gently waving, 

The soft zephyrs creep; 

The birds are all dreaming, 

Then sleep, darling, sleep. 

’Tis night on the mountain, 

’Tis night on the sea. 

Away in the distance 
The stars twinkle free; 

O’er all of His creatures 
His watch He will keep 
Who guardeth the sparrows— 

Then, sleep, darling, sleep. 

Mary M. Bowen, 

BY THE CRADLE 

From Cottage Songs ” 

Close her eyes; she must not peep! 

Let her little puds go slack; 

Slide away far into sleep: 

Sis will watch till she comes back! 

Mother’s knitting at the door. 

Waiting till the kettle sings; 

When the kettle’s song is o’er 

She will set the bright tea-things. 


The Protection of the Heavenli/ Powers 115 

Father’s busy making hay 
In the meadow by the brook, 

Not so very far away— 

Close its peeps, it needn’t look! 

God is round us everywhere— 

Sees the scythe glitter and rip; 

Watches baby gone somewhere; 

Sees how mother’s fingers skip! 

Sleep, dear baby; sleep outright: 

Mother’s sitting just behind; 

Father’s only out of sight; 

God is round us like the wind. 

George MacDonald. 
LULLABY 

Lennavan-mo, 

Lennavan-mo, 

Who is it swinging you to and fro, 

With a long low swing and a sweet low croon. 
And the loving words of the mother’s rune? 

Lennavan-mo, 

Lennavan-mo, 

Who is it swinging you to and fro? 

I am thinking it is an angel fair. 

The Angel that looks on the gulf from the low¬ 
est stair 

And swings the green world upward by its 
leagues of sunshine hair. 


116 


A Book of Lullabies 

Lennavan-mo, 

Lennavan-mo, 

Who swingeth you and the Angel to and fro? 
It is He whose faintest thought is a world afar, 
It is He whose wish is a leaping seven-moon’d 
star, 

It is He, Lennavan-mo, 

To whom you and I and all things flow. 

Lennavan-mo, 

Lennavan-mo, 

It is only a little wee lass you are, Eilidh- 
mo-chree. 

But as this wee blossom has roots in the depths 
of the sky. 

So you are at one with the Lord of eternity— 
Bonnie wee lass that you are. 

My morning star, 

Eilidh-mo-chree, Lennavan-mo, 

Lennavan-mo. 

'' Fiona Macleod ” {William Sharp). 

LULLABY 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Waiting near with outstretched hands. 

See the slumber Angel stands. 

Every bird has sought its nest; 

Lambs are in the fold at rest; 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

God and mother vigil keep. 


The Protection of the Pleavenly Powers 117 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Through the trees the night winds wail; 
Past the stars the dream-ships sail. 

Clouds for canvas, dreams for freight; 
Hush, my sweet, the hour grows late. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

God and mother vigil keep. 

Virginia Bioren Harrison, 

LULLABY 

Dream, dream, thou flesh of me I 
Dream thou next my breast. 

Dream, dream and coax the stars 
To light thee at thy rest. 

Sleep, sleep, thou breath of Him 
Who watcheth thee and me. 

Dream, dream, and dreaming. 

Coax that He shall see. 

Rest, rest thou fairy form 
That presseth soft my breast. 

Rest, rest and nestle warm. 

And rest and rest and rest. 

Patience Worth. 

A MOTHER-SONG 

Soft sleeps the earth in moonlight blest; 

Soft sleeps the bough above the nest; 

O’er lonely depths the whippoorwill 
Breathes one faint note and all is still. 


120 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sweetly sleep; Jesus will keep; 

And Jesus will give His beloved ones sleep. 

Sleep till the flowers shall open once more; 
Sleep till the lark in the morning shall soar; 
Sleep till the morning sun lighting the skies, 
Bids thee from sweet repose joyfully rise. 
Sweetly sleep; Jesus doth keep; 

And Jesus will give His beloved ones sleep. 


CRADLE SONG 

Sleep, little baby of mine. 

Night and the darkness are near. 

But Jesus looks down 

Through the shadows that frown. 

And baby has nothing to fear. 

Shut, little sleepy blue eyes; 

Dear little head, be at rest; 

Jesus, like you, 

Was a baby once, too. 

And slept on His own mother’s breast. 

Sleep, little baby of mine. 

Soft on your pillow so white; 

Jesus is here 

To watch over you, dear. 

And nothing can harm you to-night. 


The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 121 

O little darling of mine, 

What can you know of the bliss, 

The comfort I keep. 

Awake and asleep. 

Because I am certain of this? 


LULLABY OF A WOMAN OF THE 
MOUNTAIN 

From the Gaelic 

Little gold head, my house’s candle, 

You will guide all wayfarers that walk this 
country. 

Little soft mouth that my breast has known, 
Mary will kiss you as she passes. 

Little round cheek, 0 smoother than satin, 
losa will lay His hand upon you. 

Mary’s kiss on my baby’s mouth, 

Christ’s little hand on my darling’s cheek! 

House, be still, and ye little gray mice. 

Lie close to-night in your hidden lairs 

Moths on the window, fold your wings, 

Little black chafers, silence your humming. 

Plover and curlew fly not over my house. 

Do not speak, wild barnacle, passing over this 
mountain. 


122 A Book of Lullabies 

Things of the mountain that wake in the night 
time, 

Do not stir to-night till the daylight whitens. 

English version by P. H, Pearse. 

LULLABY 

O Mary, mother, if the day we trod 
In converse sweet the lily fields of God 
From earth afar arose a cry of pain. 

Should we not weep again? 

{Sings) Hush, hush, 0 baby mine. 

Mother’s twain are surely thine. 
One of earth and one divine. 

0 Mary, mother, if the day the air 
Was sweet with songs celestial, came a prayer 
From earth afar and mingled with the strain. 
Would we not pray again? 

{Sings) Sleep, sleep, my baby dear. 

Mother’s twain are surely near. 
One to pray and one to hear. 

0 Mary, mother, if, as yesternight, 

A bird sought shelter at my casement light, 

A wounded soul should flutter to thy breast, 
Would’st thou refuse it rest? 

{Sings) Sleep, darling, peacefully; 

Mary, mother, comforts me; 
Christ, her son, hath died for 
thee. 

Arthur Sherburne Hardy. 





THE VIRGIN AND THE ANGELS. 

From Fdinthig h\j Adolphe WiUUun Bomjucreau. 








The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 123 

A CRADLE SONG 

0 men from the fields! 

Come gently within. 

Tread softly, softly, 

0 men coming in! 

Mavourneen is going 
From me and from you, 

Where Mary will fold him 
With mantle of blue! 

From reek of the smoke 
And cold of the floor, 

And the peering of things 
Across the half-door. 

0 men from the fields! 

Soft, softly come thro\ 

Mary puts round him 
Her mantle of blue. 

Padraic Colum, 

CRADLE-SONG OF THE FISHERMAN’S 

WIFE 

Swung in the hollows of the deep, 

While silver stars their watches keep. 

Sleep, my seabird, sleep! 

Our boat the glistening fishes fill. 

Our prow turns homeward—hush, be still; 
Sleep, my seabird, sleep— 

Sleep, sleep. 


124 


A Book of Lullabies 

The wind is springing from out the West, 
Nestle thee deeper in mother’s breast, 
Rest, my seabird, rest! 

There is no sea our boat could whelm 
While thy brave father is at the helm. 
Rest, my seabird, rest— 

Rest, rest. 


The foam flies past us like beaten cream, 

The waves break over, the fierce winds scream 
Dream, my seabird, dream! 

Dream of the cot, where high and low. 
Crimson and white, the roses blow; 

Dream, my seabird, dream— 

Dream, dream. 


What though the tempest is on the deep? 
Heaven will guard thee—do not weep; 

Sleep, my seabird, sleep! 

Be brave as a fisherman’s child should be. 
Rocked in the hollows of the sea. 

Sleep, my seabird, sleep— 

Sleep, sleep. 


Ella Higginson, 


GREEK MOTHER’S LULLABY 
From “ A Doric Reed ” 

Sleep, my child, no care can cumber 
Thy young heart, nor break thy slumber,— 
Love doth all thy moments number: 



The Protection of the Heavenly Powers 125 

Let thy sleep 
Be sweet and deep! 

While thy mother’s arms caress thee, 

May great Zeus protect and bless thee! 


Gentle zephyrs woo and kiss us, 

Sweet with breath of dear Cephisus, 
Soft with music of Ilissus. 

Zephyr’s wings 
Are downy things. 

While thy mother’s lips caress thee. 
May great Zeus protect and bless thee! 


Sleep, and see Olympus shining,— 
Where the Gods, in bliss reclining, 
Know not pain nor mortal pining; 
Heavenly beams 
Shall light thy dreams. 

While thy mother’s hopes caress thee, 
May great Zeus protect and bless thee! 


Rest, and in thy dreaming follow,— 
Through the flow’ry glade and hollow,— 
In the chase, with swift Apollo; 

Ne’er so fleet 
Are mortal feet. 

While thy mother’s smiles caress thee. 
May great Zeus defend and bless thee! 


126 


A Book of Lullabies 

Dream, and see bright Eros springing 
Through the air, his arrows flinging,— 
Keenest joy and sorrow bringing. 

Ah, his wings 
Hide cruel stings! 

While thy mother’s tears caress thee. 
May great Zeus defend and bless thee! 

Soft as summer breezes calling. 

Light as summer roses falling, 

Slumber woos to dear enthralling. 

Sweet and deep 
My darling’s sleep; 

Love and joy and hope caress thee! 

Zeus will guard thee, Zeus will bless thee! 

Zitella Cocke. 


INDIAN LULLABY 

Rock-a-by, hush-a-by, little papoose. 

The stars come into the sky; 

The whippoorwill’s crying, the daylight is dying, 
The river runs murmuring by. 

The pine trees are slumbering, little papoose. 
The squirrel has gone to his nest; 

The robins are sleeping, the mother bird’s keep¬ 
ing 

The little ones warm with her breast. 


The Protection of the Heavenly Potvers 127 

The roebuck is dreaming, my little papoose, 
His mate lies asleep at his side ; 

The breezes are pining, the moonbeams are 
shining 

All over the prairie wide. 

Then hush-a-by, rock-a-by, little papoose, 

You sail on the river of Dreams; 

Dear Manitou loves you and watches above 
you 

Till time when the morning light gleams. 

Charles Myall. 


THE GUARDIAN ANGELS 


FOLK LULLABIES 
Irish 

Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee, 
Soft a snow-white fleece enfolds thee. 
Fairest flowVs are strewn before thee. 
Sweet birds warble o^er thee 
Shoheen Sho lo! lu, lu, lo, lo! 

Oh, sleep, my baby, free from sorrow. 
Bright thou’lt ope thine eyes to-morrow 
Sleep, while o^er thy smiling slumbers 
Angels chant their numbers. 

Shoheen Sho lo! lu, lu, lo, lo! 

German 

When the little children sleep, 

Little stars are waking, 

Angels bright from heaven come. 
And, till morn is breaking. 

They will watch the livelong night 
By their beds till morning light. 
When the little children sleep. 

Stars and angels watch do keep. 

128 



129 


The Guardian Angels 

Lullaby and good-night, . 

With roses bedight, 

With lilies bested, 

Is baby’s wee bed. 

Lay thee down now and rest. 

May thy slumber be blest. 

Lullaby and good-night. 

Thy mother’s delight; 

Bright angels around 
My darling shall stand; 

They will guard thee from harm; 
Thou shalt wake in my arms. 


When children lay them down to sleep. 
Two angels come, their watch to keep. 
Cover them up safely and warm, 
Tenderly shield them from ev’ry harm. 

But when they wake at dawn of day. 
The two bright angels go away; 

Rest from their work of care and love. 
For God Himself keeps watch above. 


Good-night, good-night, 
The stars are bright ; 

In the still moonlight 
The angels hover! 

’Neath thy flowery cover 


130 


A Book of Lullabies 

Of roses and lilies and violets white, 
Rest thy sweet limbs and gentle head. 

If God wills, at dawning 
Thou shalt rise from thy bed 
At the swallow’s good-morning! 

Danish 

Sleep sweetly, little child; lie quiet and still; 
As sweetly sleep as the bird in the wood, 

As the flowers in the meadow. 

God the Father has said, ‘‘ Angels stand 
On watch when the little ones are in bed.” 

Russian 

Sleep, my darling, calm and fearless. 

Close thine eyes of heavenly blue. 

Sleep, my treasure; I am near thee. 

And thy guardian angel, too. 

’Neath his wings unseen, we nestle— 
Babe and cradle, thou and I; 

And he joins with mine his tender 
Lulla—lulla—lullaby. 

Spanish 

Isabellita, do not pine 

Because the flowers fade away; 

If flowers hasten to decay 
Weep not, Isabellita mine. 

Little one, now close thine eyes, 

Hark, the footsteps of the Moor! 

And she asks from door to door. 

Who may be the child who cries? 


The Guardian Angels 131 

When I was as small as thou 
And within my cradle lying, 

Angels came about me flying 
And they kissed me on my brow. 

Sleep, then, little baby, sleep: 

Sleep, nor cry again to-night. 

Lest the angels take to flight 
So as not to see thee weep. 

CRADLE SONG 
From the German 

Sleep, my own baby, my darling thou art. 
Close thy blue eyes now, thou joy of my heart! 
All is as quiet as quiet can be. 

Never a fly shall alight upon thee. 

Angels from Heaven as lovely as thou. 

Hover around thee, and smile on thee now. 
What if the angels must go by and by? 

Yet when thou weepest, thy tears they will dry. 

Gold are the hours that are gliding away. 

Dear one, to-morrow is never to-day; 

Come to thy bedside will sorrow and pain. 
Ne’er wilt thou slumber so sweetly again. 

Sleep, then, my baby, the dark do not fear, 
Mother is sitting, and guarding thee here; 
Darling, though late or though early it be. 
Mother will never grow weary for thee. 


132 


A Book of Lullabies 
CRADLE SONG 


Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Our cottage vale is deep; 

The little lamb is on the green, 

With woolly fleece so soft and clean. 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Down where the woodbines creep; 

Be always like the lamb so mild, 

A kind and sweet and gentle child. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Thy rest shall angels keep. 

While on the grass the lambs shall feed. 
And never suffer want nor need. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 


SLUMBER SONG 

All is still in sweetest rest. 

Be thy sleep serenely blest! 
Winds are moaning o’er the wild. 
Lullaby, sleep on, my child; 
Lullaby, sleep on, my child; 

La lullaby, sleep on, my child; 
May angel gleams 
Pervade thy dreams! 


I 


The Guardian Angels 133 

Close each little, loving eye. 

Let them like two roselets lie; 

And when purpling morn shall glow, 
Still as roselets freshly blow. 

Still as roselets freshly blow; 

La lullaby, sleep on, my child; 

May angel gleams 
Pervade thy dreams! 

BE HUSH’D 

Be hush’d, m’y dear, 

Thy mother’s near. 

Thou need’st no longer weep; 

Soft melody 
She sings to thee. 

Now close thine eyes in sleep. 

Be hush’d, my dear, 

Dry every tear. 

In sweetest quiet keep; 

0 weep not so 
O’er infant woe. 

But close thine eyes in sleep. 

Be hush’d, my dear. 

No thought of fear 
Should break thy slumbers deep; 
Angels above. 

With wings of love. 

Their vigils near thee keep. 

Thomas Hastings. 


134 


A Book of Lullabies 

SLEEP, 0 SLEEP! 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While breezes so softly are blowing; 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While streamlets so gently are flowing, 
Sleep, 0 sleep! 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While spring her rich verdure is wearing. 
Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While flow’rs in their pride are appearing, 
Sleep, 0 sleep! 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While flocks in the meadows are straying; 
Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While lambkins are merrily playing. 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While birds in the forest are singing; 
Sleep, O sleep! 

While echoes with music are ringing. 
Sleep, O sleep! 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

While angels are watching beside thee; 
Sleep, 0 sleep! 

May blessings forever betide thee. 

Sleep, 0 sleep! 

Thomas Hastings. 


The Guardian Angels 135 

SWEETLY SLEEP 

Sweetly sleep in peaceful pleasure, 

Now thy wearied eyelids close; 

May some strain of blissful measure 
Lull thy heart to calm repose. 

Lost joys shall sleep restore thee, 

Seraphs above watch o’er thee! 

Heav’n’s brightest joys before thee. 

Sleep shall disclose. 

Sweetly sleep! oh, what can sever 
True affection’s constancy? 

Tho’ thine eye should close forever. 

Ne’er should sleep my love for thee. 

Lost joys shall sleep restore thee. 

Seraphs above watch o’er thee! 

Heav’n’s brightest joys before thee. 

Sleep shall disclose. 

Sweetly sleep, and may the morrow 
Wake thee with its freshning light, 
Wake to-day undimm’d by sorrow. 

Sleep thou sweetly all the night. 

Lost joys shall sleep restore thee. 

Seraphs above watch o’er thee! 

Heav’n’s brightest joys before thee. 

Sleep shall disclose. 

BOHEMIAN CRADLE-SONG 

Hush thee, my baby, oh hush thee to sleep, 
O’er thee may angels their watch e’er keep. 


136 


A Book of Lullabies 

Slumber, darling, sleep well, sleep long. 
Lulled by the sound of thy mother’s song. 

By-bye! by-bye, sleep on—sleep on. 
Mother is rocking thee, by-bye, by-bye, 

I will rock thee. 

Softly the brook in the moon ripples by. 

Bright are the stars in the heavens on high. 
Bright as starling. 

Soft as ripples. 

Into our lives steals the wonder of love. 

Child, when the sorrows of life shall arise. 

Up from the earth to the stars raise thine eyes. 
On thy pillow, 

’Neath the willow. 

Softly thy sorrows will fade into peace. 

Hush thee; my baby, to sleep. I am with thee. 

Hush thee, my baby, oh hush thee to sleep. 
O’er thee may angels their watch e’er keep. 

Slumber, darling, sleep well, sleep long. 
Lulled by the sound of thy mother’s song. 

By-bye! By-bye, sleep on—sleep on. 
Mother will watch o’er thee. 

BALOO, MY BAIRNIE, FA’ ASLEEP 

My bonnie wean! my darlin’ bairn! 

My sweet wee smilin’ lammie! 

Sae cosy in yer beddy-ba! 

Crawin’ to yer mammy! 


13 


The Guardian Angels 

Blessings on yer cheekies red, 

An’ wee bit lauchin’ ee, 
Sparklin’, like the gowden lift, 
Wi’ gladsome, sunny glee! 
Baloo, my bairnie, fa’ asleep! 
0 hushy, hushy ba’! 


My ain pet! my honey doo! 

My troutie o’ the burn! 

Sair, sair ye keep yer mammy back 
Frae daein’ mony a turn! 

0 fond’s the look yer deddy tak’s. 
As guileless ye lie there. 

Chasin’ frae his honest broo 
Mony a dowie care! 

Baloo, my bairnie, fa’ asleep! 

0 hushy, hushy ba’! 


Yer eenie saftly close at last. 

For oh! ye’re tired an’ weary; 

O fa’ asleep, my bonnie lamb! 

O fa’ asleep, my dearie! 

An’ as yer wee thocht tak’s its flicht 
Where joys immortal blossom. 
May angels sing yer lullaby. 

An’ fauld ye in their bosom! 
Baloo, my bairnie, fa’ asleep! 

O hushy, hushy ba’! 


James Smith. 


138 A Book of Lullabies 

WHERE SHALL THE BABY’S DIMPLE BE? 

Over the cradle the mother hung, 

Softly crooning a slumber-song; 

And these were the simple words she sung 
All the evening long: 

Cheek or chin, or knuckle or knee, 

Where shall the baby’s dimple be? 

Where shall the angel’s finger rest 
When he comes down to the baby’s nest? 
Where shall the angel’s touch remain 
When he awakens my babe again? ” 

Still as she bent and sang so low, 

A murmur into her music broke; 

And she paused to hear, for she could but 
know 

The baby’s angel spoke. 

Cheek or chin, or knuckle or knee. 

Where shall the baby’s dimple be? 

Where shall my finger fall and rest 
When I come down to the baby’s nest? 
Where shall my finger’s touch remain 
When I awaken your babe again? ” 

Silent the mother sat, and dwelt 
Long in the sweet delay of choice ; 

And then by her baby’s side she knelt. 

And sang with pleasant voice: 


The Guardian Angels 139 

Not on the limb, 0 angel dear! 

For the charm with its youth will 
disappear; 

Not on the cheek shall the dimple be, 

For the harboring smile will fade and flee; 
But touch thou the chin with an impress 
deep. 

And my baby the angel’s seal shall keep.” 

Josiah Gilbert Holland, 

A BABY SONG 

Come, white angels, to baby and me; 

Touch his blue eyes with the image of sleep, 
In his surprise he will cease to weep: 

Hush, child, the angels are coming to thee! 

Come, white doves, to baby and me; 

Softly whirr in the silent air. 

Flutter about his golden hair: 

Hark, child, the doves are cooing to thee! 

Come, white lilies, to baby and me; 

Drowsily nod before his eyes. 

So full of wonder, so round and wise: 

Hist, child, the lily-bells tinkle for thee! 

Come, white moon, to baby and me; 

Gently glide o’er the ocean of sleep. 

Silver the waves of its shadowy deep: 
Sleep, child, and the whitest of dreams to thee! 

Elizabeth Stoddard. 


142 


A Book of Lullabies 

Her beads while she numbered 
The baby still slumbered, 

And smiled in her face as she bended her knee; 
Oh, blest be that warning. 

My child, thy sleep adorning. 

For I know that the angels are whispering with 
thee! ” 

“ And while they are keeping 
Bright watch o’er thy sleeping. 

Oh, pray to them softly, my baby, with me! 

And say thou would’st rather 
They’d watch o’er thy father! 

For I know that the angels are whispering with 
thee.” 

The dawn of the morning 
Saw Dermot returning. 

And the wife wept with joy her babe’s father to 
see; 

And closely caressing 
Her child, with a blessing. 

Said, I knew that the angels were whispering 
with thee.” 

Samuel Lover. 

BYLO LAND 

When out of the West long shadows creep. 
And the stars peep out, a shining band. 

Our baby—weary of fun and play— 

Goes out thro’ the gates to Bylo Land. 


The Guardian Angels 143 

0 which is the road to Bylo Land? 

By the way of Grandpa’s easy chair, 

Or, better, by mother’s loving arms. 

With kisses pressed on the shining hair? 

She nestles down with a weary sigh. 

While the lashes touch the rounded cheek ; 
With her arms clasped close ’round mother’s 
neck. 

Who kisses the love she cannot speak. 

A wonderful land is Bylo Land, 

To judge by the smiles on baby’s face; 

The angels must surely weave her dreams. 

And lend to her of their winsome grace. 

0 baby, we envy thy sunny lot. 

For we that are older seldom see 
The flowery path to Bylo Land, 

Or meet the angels that talk with thee. 


A HUSH SONG 

In the cradle of my heart my sweet one will I lay. 
Sing lullaby, O lullaby! 

When the moon looks through the window and 
the sunshine sinks away: 

Lullaby, O lullaby. 

Mother’s care and treasure. 

Mother’s pain and pleasure! 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby, at closing of the day. 


144 


A Book of Lullabies 

In the warmth of my love my sweet one will I roll, 
Sing lullaby, 0 lullaby! 

And the angels in the darkness will watch about 
your soul: 

Lullaby, 0 lullaby. 

Sleep, the clock strikes seven: 

Mother’s gift from Heaven! 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby, at closing of the day. 


For you your father labors beneath the sun and 
rain. 

Sing lullaby, 0 lullaby, 

For you he mows the meadow, for you he sows the 
grain ; 

Lullaby, 0 lullaby. 

Dear little baby face,— 

God’s sunlight in the place! 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby, at closing of the day. 


Oh, sleep, my baby, softly, your mother’s at your 
side. 

Sing lullaby, O lullaby! 

And whisp’ring to your angel soul, the angels near 
you bide. 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby. 

Now, breathing long and deep. 

My baby is asleep: 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby, at closing of the day. 

Paul Gregan. 



GIFT FROM HEAVEN. 

From Painting hy Bernhard Plochhorst 




The Guardian Angels 145 

A LULLABY 

Hush, hush, rest my sweet; 

Rest, rest thy tired feet; 

Forget the storms and tears of thy brief hours; 
There^s naught shall thee distress. 

Wrapt in sleep’s blissfulness, . 

Crowned by a dream, something as fair as 
flowers. 

Hush, dearest, hush; 

May no intruder brush 
From off thy bloomy cheek the downy kiss; 

May no inquiet fly 
Go rudely buzzing by 

To snatch away thy dear unconscious bliss. 

May dreams enchanted spread 
A pillow for thy head, 

And hang a curtain ’twixt thee and the sun ; 
While smiles shall overflow 
Thy rosy lips as though 
The angels’ whisper were too sweet for one. 

Then, sleep, my baby dear; 

Yet, lest the traitor. Fear, 

Should cry, The child will waken nevermore! ” 
Stir in thy dreams anon, 

Bidding the thought begone, 

And lift thine eyes to bless me as before! 

Mary Newmarch Prescott. 


146 A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY 

Oh, honey, lil honey, come and lay yo’ woolly 
head, 

Upon yo’ mammy’s bosom, play at possum bein’ 
dead, 

Fo’ a li’l babe am sleepy, an’ it’s time to go to bed. 

So come, ma li’l baby, ma li’l lovin’ baby, 

Ah, sleep, ma li’l baby. 

Sleepy, sleepy sleep. 

Don’t yo’ cry yo’ li’l eyes out, sho’ de summer day 
am done. 

An’ de flowers am gone bye-bye wit’ de great big 
yellow sun, 

An’ de stars am all a-peepin’ fo’ to ketch him on 
de run. 

But yo’ must sleep, ma baby, ma li’l lovin’ baby; 
Ah, sleep, ma li’l baby. 

Sleepy, sleepy sleep. 

Ah, hush, ma pickaninny, sho’ yo’s mammy’s li’l 
prize. 

But de san’ man am a-comin’ fo’ to close a baby’s 
eyes. 

An’ de angels all am creepin’ fro’ de splendor ob 
de skies 

To guard a li’l baby, ma li’l lovin’ baby; 

So sleep, ma li’l baby. 

Sleepy, sleepy sleep. 

Edmund S. Leamy. 


The Guardiaii Angels 147 

A LULLABYE 

The wind is tapping the window-pane, 
Sleep, my little one, sleep; 

’Tis bringing the big, big drops of rain. 
Sleep, my little one, sleep ; 

The night is dark and the earth is still. 

The shadows are flocking o’er plain and hill. 
But never to thee shall they bring ill. 
Sleep, my little one, sleep. 

The lights are low in the dusky sky. 

Sleep, my little one, sleep; 

But God and the angels, they are nigh; 

Sleep, my little one, sleep; 

Swiftly and gently, to and fro. 

Over the earth the fairies go. 

Singing a wee song, soft and low. 

Sleep, my little one, sleep. 

William Noble Roundy, 


SLEEP, ROBIN, SLEEP 

Sleep, Robin, sleep. 

While mother watches o’er you. 
And bright starry skies 

Bend o’er the sleeping land. 
Rest, birdie, rest; 

The world is all before you. 
And pleasure and pain 
Go ever hand in hand. 


148 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, Robin, sleep. 

With mother’s wing above you. 

And soft angel eyes 

To guard your sleeping form. 

Rest, birdie, rest; 

May angels ever love you. 

And walk by your side 
In sunshine and in storm. 

Sleep, Robin, lullaby; 

Rest, birdie, lullaby; 

Sleep, sleep, Robin, lullaby! 

Jaynes Gowdy Clark, 


A CRADLE SONG 

The angels are stooping 
Above your bed; 

They weary of trooping 
With the whimpering dead. 

God’s laughing in heaven 
To see you so good; 

The Shining Seven 
Are gay with His mood. 

I kiss you and kiss you. 

My pigeon, my own; 

Ah, how I shall miss you 
When you have grown. 

William B. Yeats. 


The Guar diem Angels 149 

BYE, BABY, NIGHT IS COME 

Bye, baby, day is over. 

Bees are drowsing in the clover. 

Bye, baby, bye! 

Now the sun to bed is gliding, 

All the pretty flowers are hiding; 

Bye, baby, bye! 

Bye, baby, birds are sleeping; 

One by one the stars are peeping; 

Bye, baby, bye! 

In the far-off sky they twinkle— 

While the cows come “ tinkle, tinkle ”; 

Bye, baby, bye! 

Bye, baby, mother holds thee; 

Loving tender care enfolds thee; 

Bye, baby, bye! 

Angels in thy dreams caress thee! 

Through the darkness guard and bless 
thee! 

Bye, baby, bye! 

Mary Mapes Dodge. 


THREE LULLABIES 

In days gone by, when a baby I, 

And mother’s fond heart was young. 
Upon her breast she laid me to rest. 
And, rocking me, sweetly sung: 



150 


A Book of Lullabies 

Thus to and fro, with a song I know 
That hadn't a touch of art, 

Sleep closed the eye with a lullaby 
That came from a mother's heart. 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, baby, 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, dear; 

Sweet be thy slumber, my darling, my 
baby, 

Angels are watching and mother is near! 

The days went by and a little one I, 

With Dolly upon my knee, 

I sang the air, in my rocking chair, 

That mother had sung to me. 

Then laid her down in her little nightgown, 
Tucked in with a mother's care. 

To close her eye with a lullaby. 

Soon after her dolly prayer: 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, baby. 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, dear; 

Sweet be thy slumber, my darling, my 
baby, 

Angels are watching and mother is near! 

The years rolled by and a maiden I; 

Dear mother had passed away. 

Upon her breast, like a babe at rest, 

A pretty white rosebud lay. 

Her hands crossed so—till it seemed as though 
She thought she were holding me. 

Death closed her eye with a lullaby. 

To wake in eternity. 



151 


The Guardian Angels 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, baby, 
Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, dear; 

Sweet be thy slumber, my darling, my 
baby; 

Angels are watching and mother is near! 

Fred Emerson Brooks. 


CRADLE SONG 

1 

Lord Gabriel, wilt thou not rejoice 
When at last a little boy’s 
Cheek lies heavy as a rose, 

And his eyelids close? 

Gabriel, when that hush may be. 
This sweet hand all heedfully 
I’ll undo, for thee alone. 

From his mother’s own. 

Then the far blue highways paven 
With the burning stars of heaven. 
He shall gladden with the sweet 
Hasting of his feet— 

Feet so brightly bare and cool. 
Leaping, as from pool to pool; 
From a little laughing boy 
Splashing rainbow joy! 


152 


A Book of Lullabies 

Gabriel, wilt thou understand 
How to keep his hovering hand?— 
Never shut, as in a bond. 

From the bright beyond?— 

Nay, but though it cling and close 
Tightly as a climbing rose. 

Clasp it only so,—aright. 

Lest his heart take fright. 

{Dorvii, dor mi, tu: 

The dusk is hung with blue,) 

II 

Lord Michael, wilt not thou rejoice 
When at last a little boy’s 
Heart, a shut-in murmuring bee. 
Turns him unto thee? 

Wilt thou heed thine armor well,— 
To take his hand from Gabriel, 

So his radiant cup of dream 
May not spill a gleam? 

He will take thy heart in thrall. 
Telling o’er thy breastplate, all 
Colors, in his bubbling speech. 
With his hand to each. 

(Dormi, dormi, tu. 

Sapphire is the blue; 

Pearl and beryl, they are called. 


The Guardian Angels 153 

Chrysoprase and emerald, 

Sard and amethyst. 

Numbered so, and kissed.) 

Ah, but find some angel-word 
For thy sharp, subduing sword! 

Yea, Lord Michael, make no doubt 
He will find it out: 

(Dormi, dormi, tu. 

His eyes will look at you.) 

Ill 

Last, a little morning space, 

Lead him to that leafy place 
Where Our Lady sits awake. 

For all mothers’ sake. 

Bosomed with the Blessed One, 

He shall mind her of her Son, 

Once so folded from all harms. 

In her shrining arms. 

{In her veil of blue, 

Dormi, dormi, tu.) 

So;—and fare thee well.— 

Softly,—Gabriel . . . 

When the first faint red shall come. 

Bid the Day-star lead him home, 

For the bright world’s sake,— 

To my heart, awake. 

Josephine Preston Peabody. 


154 


A Book of Lullabies 

BLACK MAMMY’S LULLABY, 1855 

Go t’ sleep, li’l honey, white chile, 
or mammy love’ you so 
It ’mos’ nigh breck ’er heaht in two 
To hyeah you sobbin’ so. 

De angels dey is singin’— 

De angels all is white— 

An’ dis is whut dey’s sayin’; 

Good-night, white chile, good-night. 

Wightman F. Melton. 


NATURE LULLABIES 


FOLK LULLABIES 
Irish 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my lovely child, 
sleep! 

The sea sleepeth on the green fields. 

The moon sleepeth on the blue waters. 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my lovely child, 
sleep! 

Sleep, my child! 

The morning sleepeth upon a bed of roses, 

The evening sleepeth on the tops of the dark 
hills; 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, child of my 
heart’s love, sleep! 

Sleep, my child! 

The winds sleep in the rocky caverns, 

The stars sleep on their pillow of clouds. 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my little child, 
sleep! 

Sleep, my child! 

The mist sleepeth on the bosom of the valley. 
The broad lake beneath the shade of the trees. 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my tender child, 
sleep! 


155 



156 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, my child! 

The flower sleeps, while the night-dew falls, 

The wild birds sleep upon the mountains; 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my blessed 
child, sleep! 

Sleep, my child! 

The burning tear sleepeth upon the cheek of 
sorrow. 

But thy sleep is not the sleep of tears. 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, child of my 
bosom, sleep! i 

Sleep, my child! 

Sleep in quiet, sleep in joy, my darling. 

May thy sleep be never the sleep of sorrow! 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my lovely child, 
sleep! 


Greek 

The rose is sleeping beside the marjoram. 

My little child is sleeping by his sweet mother’s 
side ; 

My child is sleeping in his silver cradle. 

In his cradle made of silver and of gold. 

Sleep on, my child, and I will rock thee, 

And I will rock thy cradle, that sweet thy 
slumber be; 

Sleep star, new moon and morning, sleep. 

And lady ocean with thy silver fishes, sleep! 


Nature Lullabies 


157 


Make no noise, no sudden shock, 

My little child is sleeping; 

Nani, Nani, Nani, Nani, 

Be all his ailings healed! 

The sun sleeps on the mountains, the partridge in 
the fields. 

My little child is sleeping between the linen 
white; 

Sleep sleeps upon the mountain, the partridge in 
the wood. 

My little child is sleeping to take his fill of sleep. 
Sleep, my child, with fond caresses, 

Sleep nourished with perfumes, 

Joy be with thine awakening, 

And cakes for thy wedding day! 

English version by Sir James Rennell Rodd. 

French 

Now it grows late—the angel has passed by. 
The day already has begun to die; 

And hark! the only sound that one may hear 
Is the swift river’s rippling laughter clear. 

Then lullaby! 

My son, ’tis I. 

Now it grows late^—and he is sleeping, too. 
Thy little friend, the fairy bird of blue. 

English version by Alma StrettelL 

A LULLABY 

From '' The Triumph of Beauty ” 

Cease, warring thoughts, and let his brain 
No more discord entertain. 


158 


A Book of Lullabies 

But be smooth and calm again. 

Ye crystal rivers that are nigh, 

As your streams are passing by 
Teach your murmurs harmony. 

Ye winds that wait upon the Spring 
And perfumes to flowers do bring, 

Let your amorous whispers here 
Breathe soft music to his ear. 

Ye warbling nightingales repair 
From every wood, to charm this air. 

And with the wonders of your breast 
Each striving to excel the rest. 

When it is time to wake him, close your 
parts, 

And drop down from the tree with broken 
hearts. 

James Shirley. 

A WELSH LULLABY 

Sleep, sleep, sleep! 

All nature now is steeping 

Her sons in sleep,—their eyelids close. 

All living things in sweet repose 
Are sleeping, sleeping. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Peace o’er thee watch be keeping. 

If from my bosom thou art torn. 

Low in the grave I’ll lie forlorn. 

Sleeping, ah, sleeping. 

John Ceiriog Hughes. 
English version by Edmund O. Jones. 


Nature Lullabies 


159 


NURSE’S SONG 

When the voices of children are heard on the 
green, 

And laughing is heard on the hill, 

My heart is at rest within my breast, 

And everything else is still. 

“ Then come home, my children, the sun is gone 
down, 

And the dews of night arise; 

Come, come, leave off play, and let us away, 
Till the morning appears in the skies.” 

No, no, let us play, for it is yet day. 

And we cannot go to sleep; 

Besides, in the sky the little birds fly. 

And the hills are all cover’d with sheep.” 

Well, well, go and play till the light fades away, 
And then go home to bed.” 

The little ones leaped and shouted and laugh’d. 
And all the hills echoed. 

William Blake. 

EVENING 

How like a tender mother. 

With loving thoughts beguiled. 

Fond Nature seems to lull to rest 
Each faint and weary child! 

Drawing the curtain tenderly. 

Affectionate and mild. 


IGO A Book of Lullabies 

Hark! to the gentle lullaby 

That through the trees is creeping,— 
Those sleepy trees that nod their heads 
Ere the moon as yet comes peeping, 
Like a tender nurse, to see if all 
Her little ones are sleeping. 

One little fluttering bird. 

Like a child in a dream of pain, 

Has chirp’d and started up, 

Then nestled down again. 

Oh! a child and a bird, as they sink to rest. 
Are as like as any twain. 

Charlotte Young. 


SLUMBER SONG 

Lo, in the west 
A cloud at rest— 

A babe upon its mother’s breast 
Is sleeping now. 

Above it beams 
A star that seems 
To shed the light of holy dreams 
Upon its brow. 

But cloud and star, 

Tho’ nearer far 

They seem, my babe, more distant are 
From Heaven than thou. 

John B. Tahh. 



Fko.m a Coi’LKV Print. 

CoR^ RIGHT Rv Curtis & Cameron, Boston, ;Mass. 

MADONNA. 

From Pidiitlwj hjj Louis Loeh. 





Nature Lullabies 


161 


CRADLE-SONG AT TWILIGHT 

The child not yet is lulled to rest. 

Too young a nurse, the slender Night 
So laxly holds him to her breast 
That throbs with flight. 

He plays with her; and will not sleep. 

For other playfellows she sighs; 

An unmaternal fondness keep 
Her alien eyes. 

Alice Meynell, 


SONG 

Sleep, 0 my darling, sleep. 

Safe folded are the sheep; 

The faint stars lie in the quiet sky, 

The soft wind croons thy lullaby; 

The leaves upon the linden tree 
Are whispering tenderly to thee; 

And close at hand lies Slumberland, 

0, sleep, my darling, sleep. 

Wake, 0 my darling, wake. 

The sunbeams kiss the lake; 

The seagulls fly to the eastern sky. 

The happy ships are sailing by; 

The birds upon the linden tree 
Are calling merrily to thee; 

The whole glad earth is rimmed with mirth 
0, wake, my darling, wake. 

C. Kathleen Carman. 


162 


A Book of Lullabies 

DREAM-SONG 

Sunlight, moonlight, 

Twilight, starlight— 

Gloaming at the close of day. 

And an owl calling. 

Cool dews falling 
In a wood of oak and may. 

Lantern-light, taper-light. 
Torchlight, no-light: 

Darkness at the shut of day. 

And lions roaring. 

Their wrath pouring 
In wild waste places far away. 

Elf-light, bat-light. 

Touchwood-light and toad-light. 
And the sea a shimmering gloom of 
gray. 

And a small face smiling 
In a dream’s beguiling 
In a world of wonders far away. 

Walter De la Mare, 

CRADLE-SONG 

How do we know 
How the seasons go? 

By white of the blossoms and white of the snow. 
By yellow of wheat 
And the hurrying beat 
On yellowing boughs of the rain-storm’s feet. 


Nature Lullabies 


163 


What is so bright 

In the midmost night? 

The moon with her banner of glittering light; 

And when she goes by, 

In the dark-blue sky, 

A million and one, the stars climb high. 

0 

What of the rose 

When the night wind blows? 

She dreams little poems that nobody knows. 
And into the ear 
Of the lily-bud near 

She sings little melodies no one can hear. 

Slumber, my love. 

To the coo of the dove 

And the croon of the breeze in the branches 
above; 

Sleep till the sun 
His sleeping has done. 

And the stars run away from him one after one. 

Long not to be 
With the birds in the tree 
To swing with the wind—it is safer with me ; 
Slumber is best 
In the nursery nest. 

And my arms are as warm as the mother-bird’s 
breast. 


Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer. 


164 


A Book of Lullabies 
UAJ YALLER CRADLE 


Dereks a lil’ yaller cradle 
Hangin’ in de sky. 

Swing, li'V cradle, swing. 
En mammy am a-rockin’ 
En singin’ lullerby. 

Swing, lil* cradle, swing. 
Stars upon deir tippytoes 
In a crooked row, 

Am sayin’, Hush yo' mouj, 
To all de work below, 

En w’isperin’ a song, 

En disaway it go: 

Swing, li’V cradle, swing. 


Swing, UT cradle, swing, swing. 

Swing—a way up in de sky. 

Rockerby, lullerby, husherhy — by. 
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle, 
Swing, UT cradle, swing. 


Lid’ pickaninny 
Am rockin’ fur en high. 
Swing, UT cradle, swing. 
She’s puckerin’ her face 
En startin’ fer to cry. 
Swing, UT cradle, swing. 
Husherby, mah honey. 


Nature Lullabies 


165 


Don’ you fuss no mo’: 

Mammy spanked de clouds 
En shood ’em fom de do’. 

Don’ you fret, mah sweetums, 

Ef you wants ter grow. 

Swing, li’V cradle, swing. 

Swing, li'V cradle, swing, swing. 

Swing—a way up in de sky. 

Rockerby, lullerhy, husherhy — by. 
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle, 
Swing, UT cradle, swing. 

W’en you grows up bigger 
Wot’ll mammy do? 

Swing, UT cradle, swing. 

Mammy lak you big, 

But she lak you li’l’, too. 

Swing, UT cradle, swing. 

Sech a great big work, 

En sech a monst’ous sky! 

Smile en show yer manners, 

Den shet dat peepin’ eye. 

We’s all a-gwin ter res’ 

En go sleepin’ bimeby— 

Swing, UT cradle, swing. 

Swing, UT cradle, swing, swing, 

Swing—a way up in de sky. 

Rockerby, lullerhy, husherby — by. 
Spring's in de cradle, sing to de cradle. 
Swing, UT cradle, swing. 

Louise Ayres Garnett. 



166 


A Book of Lullabies 
GOOD-NIGHT 


The sun has sunk behind the hills, 

The shadows o’er the landscape creep; 
A drowsy sound the woodland fills, 

And nature folds her arms to sleep: 
Good-night—good-night. 

The chattering jay has ceased his din— 
The noisy robin sings no more— 

The crow, his mountain haunt within, 
Dreams ’mid the forest’s surly roar: 
Good-night—good-night. 

The sunlit cloud floats dim and pale; 

The dew is falling soft and still; 

The mist hangs trembling o’er the vale, 
And silence broods o’er yonder mill: 
Good-night—good-night. 

The rose, so ruddy in the light, 

Bends on its stem all rayless now, 

And by its side the lily white, 

A sister shadow, seems to bow: 
Good-night—good-night. 

The bat may wheel on silent wing— 

The fox his guilty vigils keep— 

The boding owl his dirges sing; 

But love and innocence will sleep: 
Good-night—good-night! 

George Hill, 



Nature Lullabies 


167 


GOOD-NIGHT 

The sun is sleeping in the skies, 

Each bird is in his nest, 

The wind is crooning lullabies, 

Tis time to be at rest. 

The flowers are nodding, too, it seems, 
Each lamb is in the fold; 

The stars are shining o’er the streams. 
Now day’s last hour is told. 

Oh, fear not that the shadows grow. 
The night and silence, too. 

But mean thy Lord, long years ago. 
Was once a babe like you. 

Elizabeth Hays Wilkinson, 

LULLABY 

Baby wants a lullaby; 

Where should mother find it ? 

In a bird’s nest rocked on high; 

Birdie, birdie lined it; 

Eind it under birdie’s wing,— 

Soft birdie’s feather;— 

0 the downy, downy thing! 

O the summer weather! 

Baby wants a lullaby; 

Where shall sister find it? 

In a soft cloud of the sky. 

With white wool behind it; 


168 


A Book of Lilillahies 

Watch you may, but cannot guess 
If the cloud has motion, 

Such a perfect calm there is 
In the airy ocean. 

0 the land of Lullabies! 

Where shall father find it? 

Safe in mother’s breast it lies, 

With her arms to bind it; 

0 a soft and sleepy song! 

Sleep, baby blossom! 

Sleep is short, sleep is long. 

Sweet is mother’s bosom! 

William Brighty Rands. 

LITTLE BLUE PIGEON 

Japanese Lullaby 

Sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings,— 
Little blue pigeon with velvet eyes; 

Sleep to the singing of mother-bird swinging— 
Swinging the nest where 'her little one lies. 

Away out yonder I see a star,— 

Silvery star with a tinkling song; 

To the soft dew falling I hear it calling— 
Calling and tinkling the night along. 

In through the window a moonbeam comes,— 
Little gold moonbeam with misty wings; 

All silently creeping, it asks: “ Is he sleeping—- 
Sleeping and dreaming while mother sings? ” 


Nature Lullabies 


169 


Up from the sea there floats the sob 

Of the waves that are breaking upon the 
shore, 

As though they w^ere groaning in anguish and 
moaning— 

Bemoaning the ship that shall come no more. 

But sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings,— 
Little blue pigeon with mournful eyes; 

Am I not singing?—see, I am swinging— 
Swinging the nest where my darling lies. 

Eugene Field. 


LULLABY 

Plump little baby clouds. 
Dimpled and soft. 

Rock in their air cradle. 
Swinging aloft. 

Snowy cloud mothers 

With broad bosoms white. 
Watch o’er the baby clouds 
Slumbering light. 

Tired little baby clouds 
Dreaming of fears, 

Rock in their air cradles. 
Dropping soft tears. 

Great brooding mother clouds 
Watching o’er all. 

Let their warm mother tears 
Tenderly fall. 


170 


A Book of Lullabies 

SLEEP-TIME IN DARKTOWN 

Sun am des a golden ball 
A-sinkin’ in a west. 

De bullfrog am a-singin’ to 
De one he love de best; 

An’ a daylight am a-gwine home 
To take a lil rest— 

Sing a low, mah black-eye ras’al! 

Sing a low! 

Sing a low! 

Li’l clouds am runnin’ kase 
Da mammy tok dem to; 

Whippo’will am chunin’ up 
A song fo’ me an’ yo, 

An’ a sky am feelin’ happy kase 
De stars am peepin’ frew— 

Sing a low, mah black-eye ras’al! 

Sing a low! 

Sing a low! 

Wind am makin’ music fo’ 

De trees up on a hill; 

Owls am dess a-wakin’ up 
Down yander by de mill ; 

Shadows cornin’ roun’ to see 
Ef yo’ is keepin’ still— 

Sing a low, mah black-eye rae’al! 

Sing a low! 

Sing a low! 


Nature Lullabies 


171 


INDIAN CRADLE SONG 

Swing thee low in thy cradle soft 
Deep in the dusky wood; 

Swing thee low and swing aloft— 

Sleep, as a papoose should; 

For safe in your little birchen nest, 

Quiet will come and peace and rest, 

If the little papoose is good. 

The coyote howls on the prairie cold, 

And the owlet hoots in the tree; 

And the big moon shines on the little child 
As it slumbers peacefully; 

So swing thee high in thy little nest, 

And swing thee low and take the rest 
That the night-wind brings to thee. 

The father lies on the fragrant ground. 
Dreaming of hunt and fight. 

And the pine leaves rustle with mournful 
sound 

All through the solemn night; 

But the little papoose in his birchen nest. 
Is swinging low as he takes his rest. 

Till the sun brings the morning light. 

A ROMANY LULLABY 

Hushaby! Hushaby! Sheep-bells are tinkling. 

Long lie the shadows on meadow and fold. 
Brooks babble drowsily, while crocus-blossoms 
Nod o^er the ripples their night-caps of gold. 


172 


A Book of Lullabies 

Baby, now hushaby! List to my singing, 

Songs that thy grandmother learnt from the 
moon, 

Sang to thy mother thus wakeful before thee, 
Sleep in thy turn, baby! sleep while I croon! 

Hushaby! Hushaby! Flickering camp-fires 
Redden the dewdrops on meadow and fold; 
White moths brush lightly thy cheek as they 
hover. 

Brushing my cheek are thy lashes of gold. 

Baby, now hushaby! Sleep to my singing! 

Cold lie the sheep underneath the white moon. 
Warmly my little bird nestles beside me 
Hushaby! lullaby! Sleep while I croon. 

Edith de Charms, 
CRADLE SONG 

There’s a baby moon rocking far up in the sky. 
And the night-wind is blowing a soft lullaby; 
And down, away down, in a mossy-lined nest. 
Are five little birdies ’neath mother’s warm breast. 
O hushaby, little one, sleep! 

« 

Enfolded in arms that a loving hold keep. 
Another wee baby is rocking to sleep, 

A soft golden head presses close to my heart, 

And darkly fringed eyelids just drowsily part. 

O hushaby, little one, sleep! 


Nature Lullabies 


173 


The tiny star candles are lighting the way 
For birdies and elves that to Sleepy Town stray. 
But my baby’s stars are his mother’s brown eyes, 
That love-light his path as to dreamland he hies. 
0 hushaby, little one, sleep! 

The silver moon-baby sinks low in the west. 

The chirping is hushed in the little brown nest. 
And, swinging and swaying, with eyes closing fast, 
My little one crosses the border at last. 

0 hush thee, my little one sleeps! 

Pauline Frances Camp, 

ROCKABY, LULLABY 

From '' The Mistress of the Manse ’* 

Rockaby, lullaby, bees on the clover!— 
Crooning so drowsily, crying so low— 
Rockaby, lullaby, dear little rover! 

Down into wonderland— 

Down to the underland— 

Go, oh go! 

Down into wonderland go! 

Rockaby, lullaby, rain on the clover! 

Tears on the eyelids that struggle and weep! 
Rockaby, lullaby—bending it over! 

Down on the mother-world, 

Down on the under world! 

Sleep, oh sleep! 

Down on the mother-world sleep! 


174 


A Book of Lullabies 

Rockaby, lullaby, dew on the clover! 

Dew on the eyes that will sparkle at dawn! 
Rockaby, lullaby, dear little rover! 

Into the stilly world! 

Into the lily world. 

Gone! oh, gone! 

Into the lily world gone! 

Josiah Gilbert Holland. 

A LULLABY 
Sleep soft, baby mine! 

For the day has finished her spinning at last. 
The clouds were the warp and the woof was the 
wind. 

But now the red sun’s left the moorland behind. 
And the work of the day is past. 

Sleep soft, baby mine! 

Our cottage is warm and the fire burns bright. 
The plover has spread her wings o’er her nest. 
And the whole wide world has sunk to rest. 

And the lambs have bleated “ Good-night.” 

Sleep soft, baby mine! 

Though a humble roof be over thy head, 

We have goats on the mountain and cows in the 
byre ; 

There is milk for the porridge and food for the 
fire. 

And purple heather for the bed. 




o 
. --y 

^ H 

e; ^ 

D 

, o 

K > 

lJ 5! 


o 


* ^ 
a o 

flH O 


MOTHERLY CARES. 

From Painting by Josef Israels, 










Nature Lullabies 


175 


Sleep soft, baby mine! 

The pale moon smiles as she kisses thy face, 

The little stars are playing bo-peep. 

And the stream is singing in its sleep. 

And the night glides on apace. 

Monica Peveril Turnbull. 

LULLABY 

Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul; 

The little mouse cheeps plaintively. 

The night-bird in the chestnut tree— 

They sing together, bird and mouse. 

In starlight, in darkness, lonely, sweet. 

The wild notes and the faint notes meet— 
Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul. 

Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul; 

Amid the lilies floats the moth. 

The mole along his galleries goeth 
In the dark earth; the summer moon 
Looks like a shepherd through the pane 
Seeking his feeble lamp again— 

Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul. 

Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul; 

Time comes to keep night-watch with thee, 
Nodding with roses; and the sea 
Saith “ Peace! Peace! amid his foam. 
‘^Obe still !^’ 

The wind cries up the whispering hill— 
Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul. 

Walter De la Mare. 


176 


A Book of Lullabies 

THE HAYMAKER’S LULLABY 

{Behind a cock oj hay) 

The ribs of new moons 
Are the rockers that hold 
My cloud-covered lark, 

And the cradle is rolled 
By the foot of the Wind, 
Shoo-ha-loo, Shoo-ha-loo, 

By the foot of the Wind 
As I croon you to sleep. 

The ribs of the waves 
Are the rockers that hold 
My spray-covered gull, 

And the cradle is rolled 
By the touch of the Tide, 
Hush-a-hoo, Hush-a-hoo, 

By the touch of the Tide 
As I sing you to sleep. 

0 the bent willow-boughs 
Are the rockers that hold 
My leaf-covered bird. 

And the cradle is rolled 
By the swing of the Tree, 

Lu-la-loo, Lu-la-loo, 

By the swing—let me see— 

Why, the baby’s asleep! 

Francis Carlin, 


Nature Lullabies 


177 


MY DEAREST BABY, GO TO SLEEP 

My dearest baby, go to sleep, 

For now the bright round moon doth peep 
On thy little snow-white bed 
And upon thy pretty head. 

The silver stars are shining bright, 

And bid my baby dear good-night; 

And every bird has gone to rest; 

Long since in its little nest. 

The lambs no longer run and leap; 

But by the daisies lie asleep; 

The flowers have closed their pretty eyes 
Until the sun again shall rise. 

All things are wrapped in sweet repose, 
The dew falls noiseless on the rose; 

So thou must like an angel lie 
Till golden morning streaks the sky. 

Soon will I gently steal to bed. 

And rest beside thy pretty head; 

And all night keep thee snug and warm 
Nestling fondly on my arm. 

Then, dearest baby, go to sleep. 

While the moon doth on thee peep. 
Shining on thy little bed. 

And around thy pretty head. 

Thomas Miller. 


178 A Book of Lullabies - 

A PRAIRIE MOTHER’S LULLABY 

The sunset deepens in the West, 

Faint shadows drift across the sky; 

So sleep, dear heart, on mother’s breast. 
And rock away to dreamy rest 
To her low, soothing lullaby. 

The night-wind breathes across the plain; 

The moonbeams shed a luster bright; 
The cattle low a weird refrain 
Upon the star-lit summer night. 


By-low, babe, oh, rockaby! 

By-low, babe, oh, hushaby! 

Down along the winding trail thy daddy rides 

where shadows creep. 

So-ho, baby, close thine eyes! 

By-low, babe, the sunset dies! 

Sleep, my little prairie wildflower, lullaby, oh, 
sleep! 


Upon the mesa, bare and brown. 

The slinking, gaunt coyotes prowl; 

And hark! upon the silent air. 

In ghostly cadence echoing there. 

Floats forth the gray wolf’s mournful howl. 
The cowboy’s song rings loud and clear. 

As ’round the bedded herd he rides; 

And from the stunted sagebrush near 
The sluggish rattler smoothly glides. 


Nature Lullabies 


179 


By-low, babe, oh, rockaby! 

By-low, babe, oh, hushaby! 

O’er the rugged buttes and foothills golden moon¬ 
beams shyly peep. 

So-ho, baby, close thine eyes! 

Dream to mother’s lullabies!. 

Sleep, my little prairie wildflower, lullaby, oh, 

sleep! 

E. A, BrinmstooL 

SLUMBER SONG 

Now the golden day is ending, 

See the quiet night descending, 

Stealing, stealing all the colors, all the roses from 
the west. 

Safe at home each bird is keeping 
Watch o’er nest and children sleeping, 
Dreaming tender dreams of sunshine, sleeping 
warm, for sleep is best. 

Sleep, then, sleep, my little daughter. 

Sleep to sound of running water. 

Singing, singing through the twilight, singing little 
things to rest. 

Down beside the river flowing. 

Where the broom and flax are growing. 

Little breezes whisper gently, as night’s music 
softly swells; 

And, like bells of Elfin pealing, 

Lonely through the shadows stealing. 


180 


A Book of Lullabies 

Tinkling, tinkling through the twilight comes the 
sound of cattle bells. 

Sleep, then, sleep, my little daughter. 

Cattle bells, and wind, and water. 

Weaving, weaving chains of slumber, cast about 
thee Dreamland’s spells. 

Mary H, Poynter, 


THE WINDS AND THE WAVES 


AN OLD GAELIC CRADLE SONG 

Hush! the waves are rolling in, 

White with foam, white with foam! 
Father toils amid the din; 

But baby sleeps at home. 

Hush! the winds roar hoarse and deep. 

On they come, on they come! 
Brother seeks the lazy sheep; 

But baby sleeps at home. 

Hush! the rain sweeps o^er the knowes. 
Where they roam, where they roam; 
Sister goes to seek the cows; 

But baby sleeps at home. 

SEA SLUMBER-SONG 

Sea-birds are asleep. 

The world forgets to weep, 

Sea murmurs her soft slumber-song 
On the shadowy sand 
Of this elfin land; 

“ I, the Mother mild. 

Hush thee, 0 my child. 

Forget the voices wild! 

Isles in elfin light 
181 



182 


A Book of Lullabies 

Dream, the rocks and caves, 

Lull’d by whispering waves. 

Veil their marbles bright. 

Foam glitters faintly white 
Upon the shelly sand 
Of this elfin land; 

Sea-sound, like violins. 

To slumber woos and wins. 

I murmur my soft slumber-song. 
Leave woes and wails, and sins. 
Ocean’s shadowy might 
Breathes good-night. 

Good-night! ” 

Roden Noel. 


SEASIDE NURSERY SONG 

Little waves, happy waves. 

Dance while summer winds are sleeping; 
Sing your merry music, leaping 
Round the ocean-caves. 

Holiday in sunshine keeping. 

Little waves! 

Little stream, happy stream. 

Greet the sea with joyous singing. 

O’er the black cliff gaily flinging 
One transparent gleam; 

Through the calm air swiftly winging. 
Little stream! 


The Winds and the Waves 


183 


Little breeze, happy breeze, 

Over waves of heather straying, 
Come and join the billows playing— 

Leave the sighing trees! 

♦ 

Come, the ocean’s call obeying, 

Little breeze! 


Little flower, happy flower. 
Sea-pink on the cold rock growing. 
Sit and watch the fall and flowing 
Of the white sea-shower: 

Tender light and scent bestowing. 
Little flower! 


Little child, happy child. 

Sleep while lower life is waking. 

Sleep while sleepless waves are making 
Music sweet and wild: 

Sleep, of God’s own peace partaking. 
Little child! 


M. La T. 


SONG OF THE LITTLE WINDS 

The birdies may sleep, but the winds must wake 
Early and late, for the birdies’ sake. 

Kissing them, fanning them, soft and sweet. 

E’en till the dark and the dawning meet. 

The flowers may sleep, but the winds must wake 
Early and late, for the flowers’ sake. 

Rocking the buds on the rose-mother’s breast. 
Swinging the hyacinth-bells to rest. 


184 


A Book of Lullabies 

The children may sleep, but the winds must wake 
Early and late, for the children’s sake. 

Singing so sweet in each little one’s ear. 

He thinks his mother’s own song to hear. 

Laura E, Richards. 

LULLABY 

The wind whistled loud at the window-pane— 
Go away, wind, and let me sleep! 

Ruffle the green grass billowy plain, 

Ruffle the billowy deep! 

Hush-a-bye, hush 1 the wind is fled, 

The wind cannot ruffle the soft, smooth bed,— 
Hush thee, darling, sleep! ” 

The ivy tapped at the window-pane,— 

Silence, ivy! and let me sleep! 

Why do you patter like drops of rain. 

And then play creepity-creep? 

Hush-a-bye, hush! the leaves shall lie still, 

The moon is walking over the hill,— 

Hush thee, darling, sleep! ” 

A dream-show rode in on a moonbeam white,— 
Go away, dreams, and let me sleep! 

The show may be gay and golden bright, 

But I do not care to peep. 

“ Hush-a-bye, hush! the dream is fled, 

A shining angel guards thy bed. 

Hush thee, darling, sleep! ” 

William Brighty Rands. 



The Winds and the Waves 


185 


A CRADLE-SONG OF THE NIGHT WIND 

The pines have gathered upon the hill 
To watch for the old-new moon; 

I hear their murmuring—Hush, be still! 
’Tis coming—coming soon! 

The brown thrush sings to his meek brown 
wife 

Who broods below on her nest: 

Of all the world and of all my life 
’Tis you I love the best! ’’ 

But the baby moon is wide awake, 

And its eyes are shining bright; 

The pines in their arms this moon must take 
And rock him to sleep to-night. 

Willis Boyd Allen» 

A LULLABY 
Sleep, baby, sleep. 

The wind is driving the red, red leaves. 
The birds are hiding beneath the eaves, 
The sun sinks softly to rest. 

Pretty one, sleep, sleep. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

The black clouds have curtained the eastern 
sky. 

The moon, in a silver sea, sails by ; 

And the stars shine out in the west. 

Little one, sleep, sleep. 


186 


A Book of Lullabies 
Sleep, baby, sleep. 

The night winds murmur across the wold. 
The lambkins lie close in the shade of the 
fold. 

Lie close in the mother sheep’s breast. 
Pretty one, sleep, sleep. 

Robert Ellice Mack. 


THE FISHER-WIFE’S SONG 

Hush, baby, hush, while the shadows are falling. 
And winds blowing over the sea. 

Hush, baby, hush, for the brownies are calling, 
Are calling and waiting for thee: 

4 

In the land of sleep, where the pale moon shining. 
Lights valleys and meadows and streams. 

In the Brownie land, in the downy land 
In the soft, sweet land of dreams. 

Sleep, baby, sleep, while father is toiling 
And thinking, my treasure, of thee; 

Sleep, baby, sleep, while the dark waves are boil¬ 
ing 

Far out on the breast of the sea; 

Far out on the sea, where father’s wee vessel 
Is braving and tossing the main, 

And whitecaps swirl, and torn clouds whirl. 

And the north winds howl again. 

Crofton Uniacke McLeod. 


The Winds and the Waves 


187 


IN THE TREE-TOP 

Rock-a-by, baby, up in the tree-top! ” 
Mother his blanket is spinning; 

And a light little rustle that never will stop, 
Breezes and boughs are beginning. 
Rock-a-by, baby, swinging so high! 

Rock-a-by! 

“ When the wind blows, then the cradle will 
rock.” 

Hush! now it stirs in the bushes; 

Now with a whisper, a flutter of talk. 

Baby and hammock it pushes. 

Rock-a-by, baby! shut, pretty eye! 

Rock-a-by! 


Rock with the boughs, rock-a-by, baby, 
dear! ” 

Leaf-tongues are singing and saying ; 
Mother she listens, and sister is near, 

Under the tree softly playing. 

Rock-a-by, baby! mother’s close by! 

Rock-a-by! 

Weave him a beautiful dream, little breeze! 

Little leaves, nestle around him! 

He will remember the song of the trees, 
When age with silver has crowned him. 
Rock-a-by, baby! wake by and by! 

Rock-a-by! 

Lucy Larconis 


188 A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY 

Birds in their nests are softly calling, 

The dew is falling, the day is done. 

Over the hill come night winds creeping. 

To lull thy sleeping, my little one. 

Far in the sky gleams the golden crescent, 

With motion incessant she swings on high— 

A golden hammock for angels swinging. 

While softly singing a lullaby. 

Then swing low, sing low. 

Droop, little head, in thy slumber deep; 

Breathe low, breezes blow— 

Zephyrs that bring on drowsy wing 
Sweet sleep. 

Down in the grass the folded clover. 

With mother-leaf over, lies warm and deep. 
Stars in the blue that lightly hover 
Shine brightly over, to guard thy sleep. 

Come, happy dreams, from your home in 
heaven. 

This midsummer even, and hover nigh. 

While baby and I in our hammock are swinging. 
And softly singing a lullaby. 

Then swing low, sing low. 

Droop, little head, in thy slumber deep; 

Breathe low, breezes blow— 

Zephyrs that bring on downy wing 
Sweet sleep. 


Grace Mitchell, 


The Winds and the Waves 


189 


SONG 

From “ The Princess 

Sweet and low, sweet and low, 

Wind of the western sea. 

Low, low, breathe and blow, 

Wind of the western sea! 

Over the rolling waters go. 

Come from the dying moon, and blow, 

Blow him again to me; 

While my little one, while my pretty one, sleeps. 

Sleep and rest, sleep and rest. 

Father will come to thee soon; 

Rest, rest, on mother’s breast, 

Father will come to thee soon; 

Father will come to his babe in the nest. 

Silver sails all out of the west 
Under the silver moon; 

Sleep, my little one, sleep, my pretty one, sleep. 

Lord Tennyson. 


COME, 0 WIND 

Whisper, whisper out of the west. 

Fold thy plumes o’er my birdling’s nest. 
Come, 0 wind, whence the poppies blow. 
Come whence the lullaby fountains flow. 
Come, with kisses soft and sweet 
For tired little eyes and tired little feet. 


190 


A Book of Lullabies 

Whisper, whisper out of the south; 

Drop thy balm on the wee red mouth; 
Come, 0 wind, from the palm and pine, 
From the trailing moss and the tangled vine 
Come, with touches soft and sweet 
On tired little eyes and tired little feet. 

James B, Kenyon. 

LULLABY 

Husheen, the herons are crying 
Away in the rain and the sleet. 

Flying and flying and flying, 

With never a rest for their feet. 

But warm in your coverlid nestle, 

Wee Bird, till the dawn of the day, 

Nor dream of the wild wings that wrestle 
In the night and the rain and the gray. 

Come, sweetheart, the bright ones would 
bring you 

By the magical meadows and streams. 
With the light of your dreaming they build 
you 

A house on the hill of your dreams. 

But you stir in your sleep and you murmur. 
As though the wild rain and the gray 
Wet hills, with the wind ever blowing 
Had driven your dreams away. 


The Winds and the Waves 191 

And dearer the wind in its crying, 

And the secrets the wet hills hold, 

Than the goldenest place they could find you 
In the heart of a country of gold. 

Seumas O'Sullivan, 

NORSE LULLABY 

The sky is dark and the hills are white, 

As the storm-king speeds from the north 
to-night; 

And this is the song the storm-king sings. 

As over the world his cloak he flings: 

Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep; 

He rustles his wings, and gruffly sings: 

“ Sleep, little one, sleep.” 

On yonder mountainside a vine 
Clings at the foot of a mother pine; 

The tree bends over the trembling thing. 

And only the vine can hear her sing: 

Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep— 

What shall you fear when I am here? 

Sleep, little one, sleep.” 

The king may sing in his bitter flight, 

The tree may croon to the vine to-night. 

But the little snowflake at my breast 
Liketh the song I sing the best— 

Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep; 

Weary thou art, a-next my heart; 

Sleep, little one, sleep. 

Eugene Field. 


192 


A Book of Lullabies 


INDIAN LULLABY 

Where the waves are lapping, lapping softly o’er 
the pearly pebbles, 

And the stream is gliding, gliding ever onward 
toward the sea; 

Where the pines are murm’ring to the never-dying 
breezes, 

Sits a mother crooning, crooning to a child upon 
her knee. 

/ 

Sleep, my warrior. 

Sleep, my chieftain. 

Sleep, my little Indian brave— 

Lulled by murm’rings 
Of the forest 

And the streamlet’s lapping wave; 

While thy father’s 
Flashing arrows 
Chase the deer in forests deep. 

Rest, my warrior. 

Rest, my chieftain. 

Rest within the arms of sleep. 

Where the light is glimm’ring, glimm’ring on the 
surface of the water, 

And a sweet breath stealing, stealing, from the 
pine-woods o’er her creeps; 

Where the twilight’s deep’ning, deep’ning fast 
within the gloomy forest. 

Still the mother’s crooning, crooning, while her 
infant warrior sleeps. 


T'he Winds and the Waves 193 

Sleep, my warrior, 

Sleep, my chieftain, 

Sleep, my little Indian brave— 

Soothed by breathings 
Of the pine-woods 

And the cool stream’s rippling wave, 
While thy mother’s 
Dreamy crooning 
Falls like music of wild streams: 

Sleep, my warrior, 

Sleep, my chieftain. 

Glide on to the land of dreams. 

Sarah Comstock, 


CRADLE SONG 

All by the sides of the wide wild river 
Surging sad through the sodden land. 

There be the black reeds washing together— 
Washing together in rain and sand; 

Going, blowing, flowing, together— 

Rough are the winds, and the tide runs high— 
Hush, little babe, in thy silken cradle— 

Lull lull, lull lull, lull lullaby! 


Father is riding home, little baby. 

Riding home through the wind and rain; 
Flinty hoofs on the flag stems beating 
Thrum like a flail on the golden grain. 


194 


A Book of Lullabies 

All in the wild, wet reeds of the lowlands, 
Dashed and plashed with the freezing foam. 
There be the blood-red wings of the starlings, 
Shining to light and lead him home. 

Spurring hard o’er the grass-gray ridges— 
Slacking rein in the low, wet land. 

Where be the black reeds washing together— 
Washing together in rain and sand. 

Down of the yellow-throated creeper— 

Plumes of the woodcock, green and black— 
Boughs of salix, and combs of honey— 

These be the gifts he is bearing back. 

Yester morning four sweet ground-doves 
Sung so gay to their nest in the wall—• 

Oh, by the moaning, and oh, by the droning. 
The wild, wild water is over them all! 

Come, 0 morning, come with thy roses. 

Flame like a burning bush in the sky— 
Hush, little babe, in thy silken cradle— 

Lull lull, lull lull, lull lullaby! 

Alice Cary. 

THE WILD WOMAN’S LULLABY 

What shall I sing to thee, babe, on my back? 

Song of the Eagle that mates with the storm! 

Hi-i-ri-i-ki! Ri-eek! 

The wild gale is weeping, driven before him 

To his nest on the black lone mast of the night; 



The Winds and the Waves 195 

Swinging, swinging, far out, high out, over the 
sea! 

Hi-i-ri-i-ki! Ri-eek! 

Thy father is Eagle-Go-High, chief of thy tribe: 
Fiercest in war, wisest in council, swiftest in hunt¬ 
ing, 

Harshest and fondest in the tent of his woman; 
He is my mate! 


What shall I sing to thee, babe on my back? 
Song of the wind that is wanton forever! 

Fleeing forever, luring and weeping, laughing and 
leaping forever; 

Calling forever—calling—for the chase of swift 
wings, 

For the drive and the smite of wild wings. 

For the fold of strong wings. 

For the sleep in warm wings. 
Oo-o-roo-o-rrr-ufffff-oo! Thy mother is Storm- 
Dancer, daughter of winds. 

What art thou, Little Chiefling, babe of my heart? 
The star that I plucked from the mast of the 
night. 

When the wings of thy father outstrove me. 
Hi-i-ri-i-ki! Ri-eek! 

Eagle-Go-High, this is thy son,— 

He falls asleep, smiling. 

To the scream of thy nesting-call. 

Hi-i-ri-i-ki! Ri-i-ki! Ri-eek! 

Constance Lindsay Skinner. 


196 


A Book of Lullabies 

THE COTTAGER TO HER INFANT 

The days are cold, the nights are long, 

The north-wind sings a doleful song; 

Then hush again upon my breast; 

All merry things are now at rest, 

Save thee, my pretty love I 

The kitten sleeps upon the hearth; 

The crickets long have ceased their mirth; 
There’s nothing stirring in the house 
Save one wee, hungry, nibbling mouse, 
Then why so busy thou? 

Nay! start not at that sparkling light; 

’Tis but the moon that shines so bright 
On the window-pane bedropped with rain: 
There, little darling! sleep again. 

And wake when it is day. 

Dorothy Wordsworth. 

A MORNING LULLABY 

The wind is awake on the mountain’s breast 
And cries in the night uncheery; 

But dream and smile and dream and rest 
And slumber and dream, my dearie. 
Though winds that wake may blow and break 
The sleep of hearts aweary. 

Thy cares are drowned, 

So sweet and sound 
Dreams of thy sleep, my dearie. 


IVie Winds and the Waves 


197 


The rose is awake on the dewy lawn; 
She pouts and her eyes are teary; 

Her lips, that wait the kiss of dawn, 
Are low and tremble, my dearie. 

Yet thou dost keep thy smile in sleep 
As if, in laughter weary. 

Thy cares had slept 
While slumber kept 
Thy smile awake, my dearie. 

The baby birds are awake in the trees 
And cry in their cradles eerie 

Because the honey-hungry bees 
Have bothered the blossoms, dearie. 

But on my breast thy morning nest 
Is ever safe and cheery— 

From every harm 
A mother’s charm 
Will guard thee well, my dearie. 

The sun is awake on his cloudy bed. 
And dawn of the night is weary. 

The poppy lifts her drowsy head— 
But watching, I wait, my dearie; 

For sunny skies and birdie eyes 
May open wide and cheery— 

My heart will wake 
When thy dreams break, 

And not till then, my dearie. 


J. A, Coll, 


THE SEASONS 


CRADLE SONG FOR SUMMER 

Sleep, my childie, sleep 
I’ the hush of evening deep, 

Gone the last long-lingering beam 
From where the tender violets dream 
With closed eyes by the woodland stream: 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Fresh dews of twilight creep 
Through folded blooms of eglantine. 
Speedwell and harebell and woodbine; 

Yet open the large white bugles shine: 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Now dewy planets creep 
Through skies of fading purple-rose. 

Yon elm full-foliaged overflows 
With those love-songs the blackbird knows 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Now drowsy birdies keep 

More silence; rare the cuckooes note. 

The dove’s low plaint hath ceased to float. 
Sweet breezes flutter in and out: 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

198 




THE SHEPHERDESS OF THE ABRUZZI. 
From Painting by Francesco Paolo MichettL 









> 1 . 


The Seasons 


199 


Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

The skimming moth may sip 
Our bower’s honeysuckle bloom 
That lavish breathes a rare perfume, 

I hear the velvet hornet boom: 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

The shepherd counts his sheep, 

I hear the cattle browse and chew. 
Afield the click of ball that flew 
Bat-smitten and the boy’s halloo: 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Where meadow grass is deep. 

Nor yet lies heaped the fragrant hay, 
The crake is calling, or away 
Where the corn mellows every day: 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Yon primrose skies must keep 
Some chime of faint and faery bells 
Whose ebb and flow of tidal swells 
Or close or open amal cells: 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

The summer breath can steep 


200 


A Book of Lullabies 

All sights and sounds in hallowed rest; 
Beneath, far setting toward the West, 
Rich seas of pasture swoon to mist: 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Rare doth the swallow sweep 
Now lilied pools for dragon-flies. 

Nor orange mouths that gape supplies 
While the dam greets with twittering cries 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Still soft the martin-cheep 
Below yon eaves from rustic nest 
With moss and bents and feathers prest 
Lined warm for many a downy breast 
Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Four callow fledglings peep 
No more, but nestle to the wing. 

Whose darkness ne’er to them can bring 
Doubt of the parent’s sheltering: 

Sleep, my childie, sleep. 

Sleep, my childie, sleep; 

Our earthly clouds must weep 
Their rain upon thy stainless brow; 

I only pray my child may know 
Her Father’s wing those shadows throw: 
Then ever rest and sleep! 


Roden Noel, 


The Seasons 


201 


MIDSUMMER LULLABY 

From the German 

Silver clouds are lightly sailing 
Through the drowsy, trembling air, 
And the golden summer sunshine. 
Casts a glory everywhere. 

Softly sob and sigh the billows 
As they dream in shadows sweet, 
And the swaying reeds and rushes 
Kiss the mirror at their feet. 


HARVEST SLUMBER SONG 

Sleep, little baby, sleep, sleep, sleep. 

Red is the moon in the night’s still deep. 
White are the stars with their silver wings 
Folded in dreamings of beautiful things. 
And over their cradle the night wind sings. 
Sleep, little baby, sleep, sleep, sleep. 


Soft in the lap of the mother night 
The wee baby stars, all glowing and bright. 
Flutter their silver wings and crow 
To the watchful winds that kiss as they blow 
Round the air-cradle that swings so low 
Down in the lap of the mother night. 


202 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, little baby, sleep, sleep, sleep, 

Red is the moon in the night’s still deep. 

And the wee baby stars are all folded and 
kissed 

In a luminous cradle of silver mist ; 

And if ever they waken the winds cry. Whist, 
Sleep, little baby, sleep, sleep. 

Wilfred Campbell. 


A WINTER SONG 

Come, little one with drowsy eyes. 

The tree-tops are bare and brown. 

Where are the blossoms, the beautiful things. 
That fluttered all summer on silken wings? 
Blooming in Lullaby-town! 

Where is the path, too, to Lullaby-town, 

And how must the baby go? 

Down from the sky, in its postman’s gra 5 % 
Some wee, snowy messages float this way. 
They’ll tell us the road, I know. 

What shall we find in this unknown land. 
And what will the baby see? 

Brownies, and fairies and elves, I guess. 

Gay little dreams, in their holiday dress. 

Toys, and a Christmas tree! 


The Seasons 


203 


Come, little one with the drowsy eyes, 
Lullaby-town’s a-glee ; 

Faster the little white messages fall, 

Louder the little brown chickadees call. 
Come where they wait for thee! 

Pauline Frances Camp. 


A WINTRY LULLABY 

Blow, wind, blow. 

The fields are white with snow— 
Sleeping daisies, deep and warm. 
Cannot hear the winter storm. 

Freeze, air, freeze. 

The rime is on the trees— 

Sleeping buds within the bough, 
Dream of spring and cuckoos now. 

Turn, earth, turn. 

The flames of life do burn— 

Sleeping girl, my baby dove. 

Knows no world but mother’s love. 

Laurence Alma Tadema. 

A WINTER LULLABY 

Hushaby, lullaby, rockaby, dear. 

Sleep, little one, thou hast nothing to fear; 
Safe in thy crib by the blazing log fire. 

Rocked by a hand that never can tire; 


204 A Book of Lullabies 

Under thy coverlets dainty and warm, 

Thou knowest naught of the keen winter’s storm. 
Hushaby, lullaby, rockaby, dear, 

Sleep, little one, thou hast nothing to fear. 


Under the skies of night, crystal and cold, 
Studded with all the bright stars it can hold. 
Sleep the wild flowers that fell with the frost, 
Sleep the wild flowers the autumn breeze tossed. 
Leaves and new snow keep them dainty and warm. 
What can they know of the keen winter’s storm? 


Some day will Spring with her torch and her rain 
Come to the place where the flowers have lain, 
Melting their covers of glistening snow. 

Bidding her zephyrs through tree-tops to blow, 
Thus she will wake them and kiss them with dew, 
Calling them forth to life that is new. 


So, baby dear, when to-morrow’s fresh light 
Dawns on the world that is shrouded in night. 
Then will the angels who guarded thy sleep. 
Give me their watch o’er my baby to keep. 
Thou with thine eyes of the heaven’s own blue. 
Waking, will call me to life that is new. 
Hushaby, lullaby, rockaby, dear, • 

Sleep, little one, thou hast nothing to fear. 

Madeleine Sweeny Miller. 


The Seasons 


205 


THE TREE BUDS 

Rock-a-by, baby, 

Up in a tree, 

Rock-a-by, baby. 

What can we see? 

Little brown cradles? 

Yes, that is all; 

Little brown cradles 
Never will fall. 

Where are the babies? 

Oh! they are there, 

Tucked in their blankets 
Away from the air. 

Dear little nurslings. 

Quiet all day. 

In their green nightgowns 
Folded away. 

North wind is piping 
Loud lullaby; 

He couldn’t soften 
His voice, did he try. 

Sleep till the springtime 
Brightens the sky. 

Little leaf babies, 

We love you. Good-bye. 

Kate Louise Brown. 


ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND FLOWERS 


A SLEEP SONG 
From the Irish 

Deirfn de, Deirin del 
The brown bittern speaks in the bog; 

Deirin de, Deirin de! 

The night-jar is abroad on the heath. 

Deirin de, Deirin del 
Kine will go west at dawn of day; 

Deirin de, Deirin del 
And my child will go to the pasture to 
mind them. 

Deirin de, Deirin de! 

Moon will rise and sun will set; 

Deirin de, Deirin de! 

Kine will come east at end of day. 

Deirin de, Deirin de! 

I will let my child go gathering black¬ 
berries, 

Deirin de, Deirin de! 

If he sleep softly till the ring of day! 

English version by P. H. Pearse, 
206 



Animals, Birds, and Flowei's 
A HIGHLAND CROON 


207 


Hush-a-ba, birdie, croon, croon, 

Hush-a-ba, birdie, croon, 

0 

The sheep are gane to the siller wood. 

And the cows are gane to the broom, broom. 

And it’s braw milking the kye, kye. 

It’s braw milking the kye. 

The birds are singing, the bells are ringing, 
And the wild deer come galloping by, by. 

And hush-a-ba, birdie, croon, croon, 
Hush-a-ba, birdie, croon. 

The gaits are gane to the mountain hie. 
And they’ll no be hame till noon, noon. 


A SLUMBER SONG 

From the German 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Thy father is tending the sheep. 

Thy mother is shaking the dream-land tree. 
And down drops a little dream for thee. 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

The large stars are the sheep; 

The little stars are the lambs, I guess. 

And the bright moon is the shepherdess. 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 


208 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

The Saviour loves His sheep. 

He is the Lamb of God on high, 

Who for our sakes came down to die. 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

And cry not like a sheep, 

Else the sheep-dog will bark and whine 
And bite this naughty child of mine. 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Away to tend the sheep. 

Away, thou sheep-dog fierce and wild 
And do not harm my sleeping child! 
Sleep, baby, sleep! 

LULLABY 

When little birdie bye-bye goes. 

Quiet as mice in churches. 

He puts his head where no one knows. 
On one leg he perches. 

When little babie bye-bye goes. 

On mother’s arm reposing, 

Soon he lies beneath the clothes. 

Safe in the cradle dozing. 

When pretty pussy goes to sleep. 

Tail and nose together. 

Then little mice around her creep. 
Lightly as a feather, 


Animalsy Birds, and Flowers 209 

When little babie goes to sleep, 

And he is very near us, 

Then on tiptoe softly creep. 

That babie may not hear us. 

Lullaby! Lullaby! Lulla, Lulla, Lullaby! 

A NURSERY SONG 

As I walked over the hills one day, 

I listened and heard a mother-sheep say: 

“ In all the green world there is nothing so sweet 
As my little lammie with his nimble feet. 

With his eyes so bright. 

And his wool so white, 

Oh, he is my darling, my heart's delight. 

The robin, he 
That sings in a tree, 

Dearly may doat on his darlings four. 

But I love my one little lambkin more," 

And the mother-sheep and her little one 
Side by side lay down in the sun; 

And they went to sleep on the hillside warm. 
While my little lammie lies here on my arm. 

I went to the kitchen, and what did I see, 
But the old gray cat with her kittens three; 

I heard her whispering soft—said she: 

“ My kittens, with tails all so cunningly curled, 
Are the prettiest things that can be in the 
world; 

The bird in the tree. 

And the old ewe she, 


210 


A Book of Lullabies 

May love their babies exceedingly; 

But I love my kittens there 
. Under the rocking-chair, 

I love my kittens with all my might, 

I love them at morning, noon, and night. 
Which is the prettiest I cannot tell— 

Which of the three— 

For the life of me— 

I love them all so well. 

Now ril take up my kitties, the kitties I love. 
And we’ll lie down together beneath the warm 
stove.” 

Let the kitties sleep under the stove so warm. 
While my little darling lies here on my arm. 


I went to the yard, and saw an old hen 

Go clucking about with her chickens ten. 

She clucked, and she scratched, and she bristled 
away. 

And what do you think I heard her say? 

I heard her say: The sun never did shine 

On anything like to these chickens of mine. 

You may hunt the full moon and the stars, if 
you please, 

But you never will find ten such chickens as 
these. 

The cat loves her kittens, the ewe loves her 
lamb. 

But they do not know what a proud mother I 
am; 


Ariimals, Birds, and Flowers 211 

For lambs, nor for kittens, I won’t part with 
these, 

Tho’ the sheep and the cats should go down on 
their knees; 

No! no! not though 
The kittens could crow 
Or the lammie on two yellow legs could go. 

My dear, downy darlings! my sweet little 
things! 

Come nestle now, cosily, under my wings.” 

So the hen said. 

And the chickens all sped 
As fast as they could to their nice feather-bed. 
And there let them sleep in their feathers so 
warm. 

While my little chick nestles here on my arm. 

Mrs. Carter. 

LULLABY OF THE IROQUOIS 

Little brown baby-bird, lapped in your nest. 
Wrapped in your nest. 

Strapped in your nest, 

Your straight little cradle-board rocks you to rest; 
Its hands are your nest. 

Its bands are your nest; 

It swings from the down-bending branch of the 
oak; 

You watch the camp flame, and the curling gray 
smoke; 

But, oh, for your pretty black eyes sleep is best,— 
Little brown baby of mine, go to rest. 


212 A Book of Lullabies 

Little brown baby-bird swinging to sleep, 
Winging to sleep, 

Singing to sleep, 

Your wonder-black eyes that so wide open keep, 
Shielding their sleep. 

Unyielding to sleep, 

The heron is homing, the plover is still, 

The night-owl calls from his haunt on the hill. 
Afar the fox barks, afar the stars peep,— 

Little brown baby of mine, go to sleep. 

E, Pauline Johnson. 

BED-TIME SONG 

Sleep, my baby, while I sing 
Bed-time news of everything. 

Chickens run to mother hen; 

Piggy curls up in the pen. 

In the field, all tired with play. 

Quiet now the lambkins stay. 

Kittens cuddle in a heap— 

Baby, too, must go to sleep! 

Sleep, my baby, while I sing 
Bed-time news of everything. 

Now the cows from pasture come; 

Bees fly home with drowsy hum. 

Little birds are in the nest, 

Under mother-bird’s soft breast. 

Over all soft shadows creep— 

Baby now must go to sleep. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 213 

Sleep, my baby, while I sing 
Bed-time news of everything. 

Sleepy flowers seem to nod. 

Drooping toward the dewy sod; 

While the big sun's fading light 
Bids my baby dear good-night. 

Mother loving watch will keep; 

Baby now must go to sleep. 

Emilie Ponlsson, 

BABY’S EVENING-SONG . 

Now the little white sheep. 

And the little black sheep—• 

They have all gone to sleep 
In the fold. 

Nothing is black. 

Nothing is white. 

When the kind old Night— 

Hides them all out of sight 
In the fold. 

And the little children too. 

Must do as little lambs do; 

They must all go to sleep 
In the fold. 

Nothing is hungry, 

Nothing is cold, 

When it once goes to sleep 
In the fold. 


214 


A Book of Lullabies 

And the swift bright things 
That fly about on wings, 

Round the fields and through the skies— 
They have shut their cunning eyes, 

And have all gone to rest 
In the nest; 

\ 

Every little bird’s head 
Laid upon a feather-bed, 

Underneath its mother’s breast! 

All the swift bright things,— 

They have all gone to rest 
In the nest. 

And the little children too. 

Must do as little birds do: 

They must all go to rest 
In the nest. 

Nothing unkind 
Can the baby find. 

When she once goes to rest 
In the nest. 

Edith M, Thomas. 


CRADLE SONG 

The crickets in the corner sing, 

O’er farm and field the shadows creep, 
Their homeward way the swallows wing. 
The sun is setting in the deep. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 215 

The squirrels seek their leafy hold, 

The fox is in his hollow tree, 

And, huddled in the silent fold. 

The downy lambkins sleeping be. 

The little bird within his nest 
Hath hid his little head in rest. 

And soon, oh, soon 
The dreamy moon 
Will sail along the fleecy west; 

The day is done 
The night begun. 

So sleep, my drowsy little one. 


But when at break of day we see 
The spider weaving at his loom. 

The soaring lark above the lea. 

The bee amid the clover bloom; 

When frisking baby squirrels wake 
And sip the leaves of morning dew. 
When baby foxes from the brake 

Do prowl the thorny hedges through, 
When on the meadows sweet with hay 
The white and curly lambkins play. 
And, sweet and cool. 

O’er plain and pool, 

Bloweth the breeze of coming day. 
Thou, too, shalt rise 
To sunny skies 

And open wide thy baby eyes. 

Rowan Stevens, 


216 A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY 

Sleepy little, creepy little goblins in the gloaming, 

With their airy little, fairy little faces all aglow. 

Winking little, blinking little brownies gone 
a-roaming. 

Hear the rustling little, bustling little footfalls 
as they go. 

Laughing little, chaffing little voices sweetly sing¬ 
ing 

In the dearest little, queerest little baby lulla¬ 
bies. 

Creep! Creep! Creep! 

Time to go to sleep! 

Baby playing ’possum with his big brown eyes! 


Cricket in the thicket with the oddest little clatter 

Sings his rattling little, prattling, tattling little 
tune ; 

Fleet the feet of tiny stars go patter, patter, 
patter, 

As they scamper from the heavens at the rising 
of the moon. 

Beaming little, gleaming little fireflies go dream¬ 
ing 

To the dearest little, queerest little baby lulla¬ 
bies. 

Creep! Creep! Creep! 

Time to go to sleep! 

Baby playing ’possum with his big brown eyes! 


Animalsj Birds, and Flowers 217 

Quaking little, shaking little voices all a-quiver 
In the mushy little, rushy little, weedy, reedy 
bogs. 

Droning little, moaning little chorus by the river. 
In the croaking little, joking little cadence of 
the frogs. 

Eerie little, cheery little glowworms in the gloam¬ 
ing 

Where the clover heads like fairy nightcaps rise. 

Creep! Creep! Creep! 

Time to go to sleep! 

Baby playing ’possum with his big brown eyes! 

F. W. Foley. 


A LULLABY 

We’ve wandered all about the upland fallows. 
We’ve watched the rabbits at their play. 

But now good-night, good-bye to soaring swallows. 
Now good-night, good-bye, dear day. 

Poppy heads are closing fast, pigeons circle home 
at last. 

Sleep, Liebchen, sleep, the bats are calling; 
Pansies never miss the light, but sweet babes must 
sleep at night; 

Sleep, Liebchen, sleep, the dew is falling. 

Even the wind among the quiet willows 
Rests, and the sea is silent too. 

See soft white linen, cool, such cool white pillows 
Wait in the darkling room for you. 


218 


A Book of Lullabies 

All the little chicks are still, now the moon peeps 
down the hill, 

Sleep, Liebchen, sleep, the owls are hooting. 
Ships have hung their lanthorns out, little mice 
dare creep about. 

Sleep, Liebchen, sleep, the stars are shooting. 

Ford M. Huefjer. 

BED-TIME 

The evening is coming, the sun sinks to rest. 
The crows are all flying straight home to the 
nest. 

‘‘ Caw,’’ says the crow as he flies overhead. 

It’s time little people were going to bed.” 

The flowers are closing, the daisy’s asleep. 

The primrose is buried in slumber so deep. 
Closed for the night are the roses so red, 

“ It’s time little people were going to bed.” 

The butterfly, drowsy, has folded its wing; 

The bees are returning, no more the birds sing. 
Their labor is over, their nestlings are fed; 

“ It’s time little people were going to bed.” 

Good-night, little people, good-night and good¬ 
night ; 

Sweet dreams to your eyelids till dawning of 
light ; 

The evening has come, there’s no more to be 
said. 

It’s time little people were going to bed. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


219 


HAZELEYE’S LULLABY 

0, close your bright eyes, brown child of the forest, 
And enter the dreamland, for you’re tired of 
play; 

Draw down the dark curtain with long silken 
fringes, 

An-na-moosh will attend on your mystical way. 

Hush-a-by, rock-a-by, brown little papoose, 
O, can you not see, if you give the alarm, 

Zowan beside you, is willing and eager 

To guard and defend you, and keep you 
from harm? 

Wind-rocked and fur-lined, covered o’er with 
bright blanket, 

Your cradle is swung ’neath the wide-spreading 
trees. 

Where the singing of birds and chatting of 
squirrels 

Will lull you to rest ’midst the hum of wild bees. 

Hush-a-by, rock-a-by, etc. 

Your father is hunting to bring home the bearskin. 
While mother plaits baskets of various hue, 

Na-ko-mis is weaving large mats of wild rushes. 
And Nonnee sends arrows so swift and so true. 

Hush-a-by, rock-a-by, etc. 

Chiej Simon Pokagon. 


220 


A Book of Lullabies 


SLEEP, MY LITTLE ’SIMMIN-COLORED 

COON 

Chickens am a-roostin’ in de old plum-tree, 

One by one de little stars am peeping ; 

Nightingales am singin^ to my babe and me, 

Brightly shines de silver moon. 

Time my little pickaninny am at rest, 

All de little birds am sleeping ; 

Mammy’s gwine to tuck you in your little 
feather nest. 

Den she’s gwine to softly croon. 

Slumber, little nigger, in your bed so cozy, 

Mammy’s gwine to wake you when de moon 
am rosy. 

Hush, my little baby love, sleep, my rosebud, 

Angels guard you from above, sleep, my little nut- 
brown coon. 

Sleep, sleep, sleep, my little yaller baby, mammy 
loves you so. 

Close your naughty little eyelids, you’se de sweet¬ 
est little coon I know; 

Great, big ’gaters gwine to eat you if you don’t 
hush mighty soon. 

Den dey knows it when my baby cries, sleep, 
my little ’sunmin-colored coon. 

Juicy ripe persimmon’s mighty fine to eat. 

Waiting for my baby in de morning; 

Just about de color of my baby, so sweet. 

Honey gwine to eat dem soon. 


AnimalSj Birds, and Flowers 


221 


’Gaters am uneasy when dey hears you weep, 

Mind, I gives you timely warning; 

Mammy’s gwine to rock her little dusky babe to 
sleep. 

While she sings de sandman’s tune. 

’Deed I loves my bandy-legged, sweet, brown 
baby. 

Even tho’ his color am a trifle shady. 

Hush, my little turtle dove, sleep, my rosebud; 

Angels guard you from above, sleep, my little nut- 
brown coon. 

William H. Plass. 


EVENING SONG 

Little child, good child, go to sleep. 

The tree-toads purr and the peepers peep; 
Under the apple-tree grass grows deep; 
Little child, good child, go to sleep! 

Big star out in the orange west; 

Orioles swung in their gypsy nest; 

Soft wind singing what you love best; 
Rest till the sunrise; rest, child, rest! 

Swift dreams swarm in a silver flight. 
Hand in hand with the sleepy Night 
Lie dowm soft with your eyelids tight. 
Hush, child, little child! Hush.—Good¬ 
night. 


Fannie Stearns Davis. 


222 


A Book of Lullabies 
LULLABY 

Softly now the burn is rushing, 

Every lark its song is hushing, 

On the moor thick rest is falling. 

Just one heather-blade is calling— 
Calling, calling, lonely, lonely. 

For my darling, for my only, 

Leanbhdin 0, Leaiihhdin 0! 

Trotting home, my dearie, dearie. 

Wee black lamb comes, wearie, wearie, 
Here its soft feet pit-a-patting 
Quickly o’er the flowery matting. 

See its brown-black eyes a-blinking— 
Of its bed it’s surely thinking, 
Leanbhdin 0, Leanbhdin 01 

The hens to roost v/ee Nora’s shooing, 
Brindley in the byre is mooing, 

The tired-out cricket’s quit its calling. 
Velvet sleep on all is falling,— 

Lark and cow, and sheep and starling,— 
Feel it kiss our white-haired darling, 
Leanbhdin 0, Leanbhdin 0! 

Seumas MacManus, 

A CHILD’S EVENSONG 

The sun is weary, for he ran 
So far and fast to-day; 

The birds are weary, for who sang 
So many songs as they? 




Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


223 


The bees and butterflies at last 
Are tired out, for just think too 
How many gardens through the day 
Their little wings have fluttered through. 
And so, as all tired people do. 

They’ve gone to lay their sleepy heads 
Deep, deep in warm and happy beds. 

The sun has shut his golden eye 
And gone to sleep beneath the sky, 

The birds and butterflies and bees 
Have all crept into flowers and trees. 

And all lie quiet, still as mice. 

Till morning comes—like father’s voice. 

So Geoffrey, Owen, Phyllis, you 
Must sleep away till morning, too. 

Close little eyes, down little heads. 

And sleep—sleep—sleep in happy beds. 

Richard Le Gallienne. 

LULLABY 
Lullaby, oh, lullaby! 

Flowers are closed and lambs are sleeping. 
Lullaby, oh, lullaby! 

Stars are up, the moon is peeping. 

Lullaby, oh, lullaby! 

While the birds are silence keeping. 
Lullaby, oh, lullaby! 

Sleep, my baby, fall a-sleeping, 

Lullaby, oh, lullaby! 

Christina G. Rossetti. 



224 A Book of Lullabies 

A SLEEPY SONG 

The butterfly swings on the flower asleep, 

And the little bird sleeps in the tree; 

And down where the burrow is quiet and deep, 
The little gray rabbits all cuddle a-heap— 

So my baby must nestle to me. 

By-low! 

Nestle so closely to me. 

The butterfly danced in the fields all day 
And the birdie sang blythe on the bough; 

And the little gray rabbits, they scampered in 
play— 

But now they’re in Slumberland, all tucked away. 
For this is the sleepy time now— 

By-low! 

Sleepy time, sleepy time now! 

Charles Buxton Going, 

A LULLABY 

Baby, baby, hush-a-bye. 

Must you be awake now? 

Sweet my lamb, come, close your eye, 
Sleep for mother’s sake now. 

All the babies in the world 
Lie asleep but you now: 

Nigger-babies, brown and curled. 

In the sand dream too now. 


Animalsj Birds, and Flowers 225 

Baby mice are safe from harm 
In their downy holes now: 

Baby squirrels lie all warm 
In the hollow boles now. 

Baby buds are fast asleep 
Rocking on the trees now: 

Baby fishes, far and deep, 

Slumber in the seas now. 

All the baby stars above 
Dream in cloudy bed now: 

Mother moon, for all her love. 

Sleeping hides her head now. 

Baby,* baby, hush-a-bye. 

Cradled on my breast now. 

Sweet my lamb, come, close your eye. 
Let your mother rest now. 

Laurence Alma Tadema. 

CRADLE SONG 

0 blue eyes close in slumber; 

O birdie on your nest 

Sing to my sleepless darling 
A little song of rest. 

0 wind among the roses. 

Soft through the window creep. 

And with your murmur music 
Hush baby off to sleep. 


226 


A Book of Lullabies 

0 bee, that such soft wooing 
Makes for the lily’s sake, 

Come, sing your song of summer 
To little wide-awake. 

O cricket on the hearthstone 
Chirp low, and soft, and long. 

Till little, restless baby 

Grows drowsy with your song. 

And whisper to my darling 
That mother’s heart will keep 
A watch o’er every movement 
While baby is asleep. 

Caris Brooke. 


THE BYE-LOW SONG 

Say, birdies, when your bed-time comes. 
And underneath your mother’s wing 
You’re tucked away so carefully. 

Does Mamma Birdie to you sing 
The Bye-Low Song? 

Say, little lamb, with curly hair, 

That in the field is gamboling 
The whole day through, when bed-time 
comes. 

Does Mamma Sheep then to you sing 
The Bye-Low Song? 


Ajiimalsy Birds, and Flowers 227 

I know that when my bed-time comes, 

And I am tired of everything, 

I cannot go to sleep unless 
I hear my Mamma softly sing 
The Bye-Low Song. 

LULLABY 

They are fluttering and fluttering, like birds upon 
the tree— 

Baby bye! Baby bye! 

Then shut them tight, my precious, one for you 
and one for me— 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 

Away down in the sheepfold all the lambkins are 
at rest— 

The little chickabiddies in their feathers soft are 
pressed— 

And good old Mammy Nature holds them all upon 
her breast!— 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 

Um! Um! Um! Um! 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 

We say we’re men and women at the early dawn 
of day— 

Baby bye! Baby bye! 

But the sunset finds us children, with tears to 
wipe away— 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 




228 


A Book of Lullabies 

No shame to us that stumbled, if we tried to do 
our part— 

No blame to us for falling, if we made an honest 
start!— 

Then take it all to mammy!—lay it all upon her 
heart— 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 

Um! Um! Um! Um! 

Bye oh! Baby bye! 

Virginia Frazer Boyle, 

THE WARM CRADLE 

Hush, baby, hush. 

Sweet robin’s in the bush— 

All the birdies lie so quiet. 

Won’t my little dicky try it? 

Hush, baby, hush. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

The lammies love the sheep— 

Woolly babes all nestle cozy. 

Lie, my lambkin, warm and rosy. 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

Dream, baby, dream. 

Our feet are in the stream— 

Stones below but stars above, child. 

Life is warm so long we love, child, 

Dream, baby, dream. 

Laurence Alma Tadema. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


229 


THE SLEEPY SONG 

As soon as the fire burns red and low, 

And the house up-stairs is still, 

She sings me a queer little sleepy song, 

Of sheep that go over the hill. 

The good little sheep run quick and soft, 
Their colors are gray and white; 

They follow their leader nose to tail. 

For they must be home by night. 

And one slips over and one comes next. 
And one runs after behind. 

The gray one’s nose at the white one’s tail. 
The top of the hill they find. 

And when they get to the top of the hill. 
They quietly slip away; 

But one runs over and one comes next— 
Their colors are white and gray. 

And over they go, and over they go. 

And over the top of the hill. 

The good little sheep run quick and soft. 
And the house up-stairs is still. 

And one slips over and one comes next. 
The good little, gray little sheep! 

I watch how the fire burns red and low. 
And she says that I fall asleep. 

Josephine Daskam Bacon. 


230 


A Book of Lullabies 


A MEXICAN LULLABY 

Away across the yellow plain 
The sleepy sun before he goes 
Has hung the shoulders of the hills 
With velvet folds of gold and rose: 
And in the garden of the sky 
The petals of the stars uncurl 
Like flowers blooming overhead: 

It^s sleepy time, my brown-eyed girl! 


The mules are safe in the corral: 

The burros on the homeward road 
Trudge patiently along and think 
Of laying down the heavy load: 

And high upon the mountain-side 
The goat-herd’s camp-fire, all ashine, 
Tells that the goats have gone to bed. 
Good-night, 0 blue-eyed maid of mine! 


What if the big white stars come out 
And find the whole world sound asleep 
Excepting just two little girls 

Whose wilful eyes wide-open keep? 
And there are winged dreams that come 
To flutter ’round your beds at night: 
They never kiss wide-open eyes. 

So cuddle down, and shut them tight. 

Grace Hazard Conkling. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


231 


LULLABY 

From the German 

Sleep, little one, and be good, 

The birds are all in the wood; 

They fly in the wood 
From tree to tree, 

And soon they will bring 
Sweet sleep to thee, 

Eia, eia, popeia. 

BABY-SONG 

From '' Sea Dreams 

What does little birdie say 
In her nest at peep of day? 

Let me fly, says little birdie. 
Mother, let me fly away. 

Birdie, rest a little longer. 

Till the little wings are stronger; 

So she rests a little longer, 

Then she flies away. 

What does little baby say. 

In her bed at peep of day? 

Baby says, like little birdie. 

Let me rise and fly away. 

Baby, sleep a little longer, 

Till the little limbs are stronger; 

If she sleeps a little longer, 

Baby, too, shall fly away. 

Lord Tennyson. 


232 


A Book of Lullabies 


BIRDIE IN THE CRADLE 

In the green boughs on the tree-top 
There’s a nest so snug and warm; 

In it lies a little birdie, 

Safe in sunshine, safe in storm. 

And the wind blows through the branches. 
Rocks the cradle to and fro; 

Happy birdie, chirping, chirping. 

Danger birdie cannot know. 

♦ 

See! the bright leaves hang in clusters. 
Curtains these for birdie are; 

And they guard him while he’s sleeping. 
When his parents are afar. 

At eve the birdie’s gentle mother 
Hovers o’er the cozy nest. 

Warbling, singing, oh so sweetly! 

Till her loved one is at rest. 


SLEEP, MY TREASURE 

Sleep, sleep, my treasure. 

The long day’s pleasure 
Has tired the birds, to their nests they creep; 
The garden still is 
Alight with lilies. 

But all the daisies are fast asleep. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


233 


Sleep, sleep, my darling. 

Dawn wakes the starling. 

The sparrow stirs when he sees day break; 
But all the meadow 
Is wrapped in shadow. 

And you must sleep till the daisies wake! 

E. Neshit» 


CRADLE SONG 

Ere the moon begins to rise 
Or a star to shine. 

All the bluebells close their eyes— 

So close thine. 

Thine, dear, thine! 

Birds are sleeping in the nest 
On the swaying bough. 

Thus, against the mother-breast— 

So sleep thou, 

Sleep, sleep, thou. 

Thomas Bailey Aldrich. 

BIRDS IN THE NIGHT 

Birds in the night that softly call. 

Winds in the night that strangely sigh. 
Come to me, help me, one and all. 

And murmur baby’s lullaby. 

Lullaby, baby. 

While the hours run, 

Fair may the day be 
When night is done. 


234 


A Book of Lullabies 

Life may be sad for us that wake; 

Sleep, little bird, and dream not why; 
Soon is the sleep but God can break, 
When angels whisper lullaby. 

Lullaby, baby, etc. 

Lionel H. Lewin. 


A LULLABY 

Now while rest the happy herds, 

And in folds the fleecy sheep, 

All the boughs are full of birds. 

Crowding, sound asleep. 

Sleep, sleep, sleep, 

Under the fair, fair flocks of stars 
That roam all night and know no bars, 
Sleep, sweet, sleep! 

Now if we an Owl could ride,— 

Yes, an Owl with yellow eyes, 

Globy lanterns, clear and wide. 

Flaming while he flies,— 

We should see the pretty things, 

Pretty little sleepy souls! 

All their heads beneath their wings. 

Blind with sleep as moles! 

Sleep, sleep, sleep. 

Under the wild, winged winds that fly 
All night long across the sky. 

Sleep, sweet, sleep! 

Helen Gray Cone, 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


235 


HAMMOCK LULLABY 

Come, baby, and swing in the hammock with me, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear; 
ril sing you about some wee birds in the tree, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 

Who live in a hammock all day and all night. 
And see the gold stars and the moon shining 
bright; 

The wind swings their cradle so snug and so tight, 
As they rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 


Their oriole mother, with flame-colored breast, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 

Doth cuddle them close as she croons them to rest, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 

They all tuck their heads beneath their soft wings. 
And peep to each other while mother-bird sings 
Of flowers and cherries and nice little things. 

As they rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 


They’ll soon be a nodding, as you’re doing now, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear; 

My own little comfort, with sweet baby-brow, 
Rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 

No longer the wind need his restless watch keep; 
The dear little heads next the mother-heart sleep. 
And the lazy old hammock may drowsily creep. 
As we rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, dear. 

Charlotte Brewster Jordan, 


236 


A Book of Lullabies 
LULLABY 

At sunset our white butterflies 
Vanish and fold and creep, 

Where now the golden daylight dies, 

Out in the field to sleep ; 

Among the morning-glories furled 
They furl their drowsy wings. 

Forget the sun upon the world, 

And what the sparrow sings; 

They will not know what dews may kiss 
Nor what stars vigil keep; 

Fold up, white wing, and be like this 
All in the twilight deep; 

With everything that pretty is. 

My little lady, sleep! 

Joseph Russell Taylor, 

CRADLE SONG 

To sleep the corn is sinking. 

For heavy hangs its head; 

The timid flowers are shrinking. 

From darkness in their bed. 

And evening breezes, flocking 
Like gentle angels blest, 

Come softly, softly rocking 
The corn and flowers to rest. 

And as the flowerets shrinking. 

So, timid, too, art thou; 

And as the corn-heads sinking. 

So nods thy dear head now. 


Animalsj Birds, and Flowers 


237 


And sounds of evening, winging 
Like little angels blest 
Come softly, softly singing 
My darling one to rest. 

Hoj]man von Fallersleben. 


IN A GARDEN 

Baby, see the flowers! 

Baby sees 

Fairer things than these. 

Fairer though they be than dreams of ours. 

Baby, hear the birds! 

Baby knows 

Better songs than those. 

Sweeter though they sound than sweetest words. 

Baby, see the moon! 

Baby’s eyes 

Laugh to watch it rise. 

Answering light with love and night with noon. 

Baby, hear the sea! 

Baby’s face 
Takes a graver grace, 

Touched with wonder what the sound may be. 

Baby, see the star! 

Baby’s hand 

Opens, warm and bland, 

Calm in claim of all things fair that are. 


238 


A Book of Lullabies 

Baby, hear the bells! 

Baby’s head 
Bows, as ripe for bed, 

Now the flowers curl round and close their cells. 

Baby, flower of light, 

Sleep, and see 
Brighter dreams than we. 

Till good day shall smile away good night. 

Algernon Charles Swinburne. 

FLOWER LULLABY 

All of the flowers are going to bed, 

Daisies are nodding their pretty white heads. 
Clovers have softly just whispered ‘‘ Good¬ 
night,” 

Soon Mother Nature will tuck them up tight. 
Lullaby, lullaby,” now the winds sigh. 

Mother will watch you while winter is nigh; ” 
Over them softly she spreads a white sheet, 

“ Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, babies, sleep.” 

Softly, so softly, she’s calling them all; 
Hasten, oh, bluebells, or night shades will fall; 
Buttercups, buttercups, come to your rest. 
Little forget-me-not is all undressed. 

Maples are taking off dresses of green. 

And in bright dressing-gowns now can be seen ; 
Oak trees are going more slowly to bed. 

With pretty night-caps of dark brown and red.” 

Addie Litchfield. 


Animals, Birds, and Flowers 


2^9 


SLEEPY-TIME 

Rockaby, rockaby; 

A little daisy, pink and sweet, 

Half shut its leaves, oppressed with heat, 
And that it might to slumber go 
The Zephyrs rocked it to and fro; 
Rockaby. 

Rockaby, rockaby; 

A rose-tree near the daisy grew, 

And that the sun was hot it knew. 

And dropped its branches low, to spread 
A shadow for the daisy’s head; 

Rockaby. 

Rockaby, rockaby; 

An oriole, like a golden flame, 

Down from his swinging palace came, 
And in a warble soft and long 
He sang a pretty cradle-song; 

Rockaby. 

Rockaby, rockaby; 

An hour the daisy slept and dreamed. 
And then uncurled its leaves and seemed 
As pink and fresh as when it burst 
From out the tiny bud at first; 
Rockaby. 


Ellen V. Talbot. 


240 


A Book of Lullabies 


GO SLEEP, MA HONEY 

Whipp’wilFs singin’ to de moon,— 
Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 

He sing a pow’ful mo’nful tune, 
Go sleep, ma honey, m — m, 

De day bird’s sleepin’ on his nes’. 
He know it time to take a res’, 

An’ he gwine ter do his lebel bes’. 
Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 


Old banjo’s laid away,— 

Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 

It’s pickin’s froo for to-day,— 

Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 

De night time surely come to pass, 

De cricket’s chirpin’ in de grass. 

An’ de ole mule’s gone to sleep at las’,— 
Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 


I hear de night win’ in de corn,— 

Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 

Dey’s a ghos’ out dah, sure’s yo’ born,— 

Go sleep, ma honey, m — m. 

But he dassent come where we keep a light. 
An’ de candle’s burnin’ all de night. 

So sink to res’, des be all right,— 

Go sleep, ma honey, m — m, 

Edward D, Barker. 


AnimalSj Birds, and Flowers 


241 


MAMMY’S LULLABY 

Sleep, mah li’l pigeon, don’ yo’ heah yo’ mammy 
coo? 

Sunset still a-shinin’ in de wes’; 

Sky am full o’ windehs an’ de stahs am peepin’ 
froo— 

Eb’ryt’ing but mammy’s lamb at res’. 

Swing ’im to’ds de Eas’lan’, 

Swing ’im to’ds de Souf— 

See dat dove a-comin’ wif a olive in ’is mouf! 
Angel hahps a-hummin’, 

Angel banjos strummin’— 

Sleep, mah li’l pigeon, don’ yo’ heah yo’ mammy 
coo? 

Cricket fiddleh scrapin’ off de rozzum f’um ’is bow, 
Whippo’will a-mo’nin’ on a lawg; 

Moon ez pale ez hit kin be a-risin’ mighty slow— 
Stahtled at de bahkin’ ob de dawg; 

Swing de baby eas’way. 

Swing de baby wes’, 

Swing ’im to’ds de Souflan’ whah de melons grow 
de bes’! 

Angel singers singin’, 

Angel bells a-ringin’, 

Sleep, mah li’l pigeon, don’ yo’ heah yo’ mammy 
coo? 

Eyelids des a-droopin’ li’l loweh all de w’ile, 
Undeh lip a-saggin’ des a mite; 

Li’l baby toofies showin’ so’t o’ lak a smile. 


242 


A Book of Lullabies 

Whiteh dan de snow, or des ez white. 

Swing dm to’ds de No’flan’, 

Swing dm to'ds de Eas’— 

Woolly cloud a-comin’ fo’t’ wrap dm in ds fleece! 
Angel ban’ a-playin’— 

Whut dat music sayin’? 

Sleep, mah li’l pigeon, don’ yo’ heah yo’ mammy 
coo? 


Strickland W, Gillilan, 


AN INVOCATION TO SLEEP 


FOLK LULLABIES 
Italian 

Slumber, sweet Slumber, 

Who passes! this way 

And seekest for news of my son, 

Go in peace, he sleepeth anon. 

Sleep, Sleep, that comest from the moun 
tains. 

With a golden ball provided, 

Smite him gently on the brow, 

Harm him not, for he is tiny; 

Smite him on the brow but lightly. 

Spare him to his mother’s love. 

Spare him for the future years to come. 
Years of help to her and father, too; 

He’s little now and weakly. 

Send him golden strength in slumber. 

Sicilian ^ 

Lovely, lovely is my son! 

Possessed he but wings 
An angel he’d make. 

Come, Sleep, come bear him away. 

Then restore him later to me. 

E a-la-6! 


243 



244 


A Book of Lullabies 
Venetian 

Sleep, Sleep, that hover’st round. 
Looking for this baby boy; 

Sleep, I call thee once again. 
Come hither, sweet deceiver; 
Lure him on to rest 
For hours, by two or three! 

For moments, by two or three! 


0 Sleep, 0 Sleep, 0 thou beguiler, Sleep, 

Beguile this child, and in beguilement keep. 
Keep him three hours, and keep him moments 
three; 

Until I call beguile this child for me. 

And when I call V\\ call:—My root, my heart. 
The people say my only wealth thou art. 

Thou art my only wealth; I tell thee so. 

Now, bit by bit, this boy to sleep will go; 

He falls and falls to sleeping bit by bit. 

Like the green wood what time the fire is lit. 

Like to green wood that never fiame can dart. 
Heart of thy mother, of thy father heart! 

Like to green wood that never flame can shoot. 
Sleep thou, my cradled hope, sleep thou, my root. 
My cradled hope, my spirit’s strength and stay; 
Mother, who bore thee, wears her life away; 

Her life she wears away, and all day long 
She goes a-singing to her child this song. 


245 


An Invocation to Sleep 
Greek 

0 Sleep, who takest little ones, 

Take to thee my darling; 

A tiny one I give him now, 

A big boy bring him to me, 

As tall as any mountain grown 
And straight as lofty cypress; 

His branches let him spread about. 
From the West to Anatolia. 

Dreams! cheer the child with sights of joy, 
While thus his mother sings! 

Three guardians swore to shield my boy 
With soft and brilliant wings. 

Upon the mountain heights, the Sun, 

The Eagle on the plain. 

The Breeze, which blows when day is done. 
Upon the mighty main! 

The Sun has sought his briny bed. 

The Bird his eyrie’s height. 

And Boreas lays his dewy head 
Upon the lap of Night. 

Welcome! she cries, ‘^my son! at last! 
Thou art not come too soon; 

Hast thou been fighting, noisy blast. 
Against the stars or moon? ” 


240 


A Book of Lullabies 

Neither with moon nor stars I fought, 
Allies and friends so long! 

I watch’d the cradle as I ought.” 

Ye Dreams! assist my song! 

English version by C, B, Sheridan, 

AN INVOCATION TO SLEEP 

Hither, Sleep! A mother wants thee! 

Come with velvet arms! 

Fold the baby that she grants thee 
To thy own soft charms. 

Bear him into Dreamland lightly! 

Give him sight of flowers! 

Do not bring him back till brightly 
Break the morning hours! 

Close his eyes with gentle fingers! 

Cross his hands of snow! 

Tell the angel where he lingers 
They must whisper low! 

I will guard thy spell unbroken 
If thou hear my call; 

Come then, Sleep! I wait the token 
Of thy downy thrall. 

Now I see his sweet lips moving; 

He is in thy keep; 

Other milk the babe is proving 
At the breast of sleep! 

Josiah Gilbert Holland. 


247 


An Invocation to Sleep 

THE MOTHER’S SONG 

Come, 0 Sleep, jrom Ohio's isle, 

Take my little one a while, 

Greek Folk-Song. 

Come hither, Sleep, from Ohio’s isle! 

My wakeful babe canst thou beguile? 
Let rose of dawn be on the cheek, 

On sweet lips parted as to speak. 

But bring a twilight o’er these eyes 
As bright and blue as summer skies. 
Then swing the cradle to and fro 
Till all the winged shadows go; 

Like drowsy flower my baby sway 
Until my daughter hails the day. 

Come hither, Sleep, from Ohio’s isle! 

Take thou my little one a while. 

And twine soft fabric of the night 
O’er merry eyes that glance too bright; 
Make silent thou the laughter sound, 

But leave the smile, and dimple round. 
And rock my baby on thy breast 
Like wee bird swaying in the nest; 

At morning bring her fresh as day. 

Then on a sunbeam fly away. 

William P. M’Kenzie. 


WAYS TO LULLABY LAND 


THE ROAD TO SLUMBERLAND 

What is the road to Slumberland? And when 
does the baby go? 

The road lies straight through mother’s arms when 
the sun is sinking low. 

He goes by the drowsy “ land of nod ” to the music 
of “ lullaby,” 

When all wee lambs are safe in the fold, under the 
evening sk}^ 

A soft little night-gown, clean and white; a face 
w’ashed sweet and fair; 

A mother brushing the tangles out of the silken, 
golden hair; 

Two little tired, satiny feet, from shoe and stock¬ 
ing free; 

Two little palms together clasped at the mother’s 
patient knee; 

Some baby words that are drowsily lisped to the 
tender Shepherd’s ear, 

And a kiss that only a mother can place on the 
brow of her baby dear; 

A little round head that nestles at last close to 
the mother’s breast, 

And then the lullaby, soft and low, singing the 
song of rest. 


248 



249 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

And closer and closer the blue-veined lids are hid¬ 
ing the baby eyes, 

As over the road to ^lumberland the dear little 
traveler hies. 

For this is the way, through mother’s arms, all 
little babies go. 

To the beautiful city of Slumberland when the 
sun is sinking low. 

Mary Dow Brine. 


THE POPPY-LAND LIMITED EXPRESS 

The first train leaves at six p. m. 

For the land where the poppy blows; 
And mother dear is the engineer. 

And the passenger laughs and crows. 

The palace-car is the mother’s arms; 

The whistle, a low sweet strain ; 

The passenger winks and nods and blinks, 
And goes to sleep in the train. 

At eight p. M. the next train starts 
For the Poppy-Land afar; 

The summons clear falls on the ear; 

“ All aboard for the sleeping-car.” 

But what is the fare to Poppy-Land? 

I hope it is not too dear; 

The fare is this, a hug and a kiss, 

And it’s paid to the engineer. 


250 


A Book of Lullabies 

So I ask of Him who children took 
On His knee in kindness great: 

'' Take charge, I pray, of the trains each day 
That leave at six and eight.’’ 

“ Keep watch of the passengers,” thus I pray, 
“ For to me they are very dear. 

And special ward, 0 gracious Lord, 

O’er the gentle engineer.” 

Edgar W. Abbott, 


A SONG OF SLEEP-TIME 

Sleep, li’l boy, an’ I rock-a you low, 

An’ I rock-a you high—dis way! 

Dess-a close you eyes an’ erway we go 
To er place dat I saw to-day— 

To er fines’ place, whar it’s never cold, 

Whar de folk lives-long an’ don’t git old. 

An’ a li’l ol’ man all dressed in gold, 

He bow-a to me an’ say: 

“ Go right home an’ tell dat pickaninny. 

Tell he dat I wait to play wif him— 

Wait right hyar, war you lef’ me. Mammy 
Ginny, 

Settin’ on de locus’ bigges’ limb! 

Go right home an’ tell dat li’l ras’al 

Dat I’se whar de moon done lef’ its beams; 
An’ if he done wants to see mah castle, 

He mus’ travel frew de Lane of Dreams! ” 


251 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

Sleep, li’l boy, an' you take-a dat trip, 

Way over dat moonlight sea, 

An' you sail ercross on a silver ship. 

An' de Cap'n he tote you free! 

Yath, I know dat so, dess what I say, 

Kas’ I meet dat li'l ol' man to-day, 

An' he bows his head down dish yer way, 

An' he sing-a dis song to me: 

Go right home an' tell dat pickaninny. 

Tell he dat I wait to play wif him— 

Wait right hyar, whar you lef me, Mammy 
Ginny, 

Settin' on de locus' bigges' limb! 

Go right home an' tell dat li'l ras'al 

Dat I 'se whar de moon done lef its beams; 
An' if he done wants to see mah castle, 

He mus' travel frew de Lane of Dreams! " 

DE LI'L' ROAD TO RES’ 

or mammy gwine to tell yo’ 

'Bout de liT road to res’, 

'Gaze de short cut ain' no count 
'N' yo' mammy's way's de bes'. 

Yo' gwan down de norf-road jes’ liT piece. 
Den yo’ tu'n mouty smaht to de eas'. 

To de eas’. 

Den yo' tu'n mouty smaht to de eas', 

'N' yo' gwan 'n' yo' gwan . 

'N' yo' gwan—gwan—gwan. 


252 


A Book of Lullabies 
yo^ gwan twell yo’ 

De house whaih he liv\ but nary sign 
Uv oF man Possum in or about. 

Den yo’ tu’n mouty smaht to de sout\ 

To de soup, 

yo’ gwan ’n’ yo’ gwan 
’N’ yo’ gwan—gwan—gwan, 

’N’ yo’ gwan twell yo’ fin’ 

Little ol’ Rabbit cuttin’ uh shine 
Wid uh high silk hat ’n’ sho’ ’nuf ves’, 
Den yo’ tu’n mouty smaht to'de wes’, 
To de wes’. 

Den yo’ tu’n mouty smaht to de wes’, 

’N’ yo’ gwan ’n’ yo’ -gwan 
’N’ yo’ gwan—gwan—gwan, 

’N’ yo’ gwan twell yo’ fin’, 

Yo’ don’ got to de place whaih yo’ gwine. 
De en’ ob de road am mammy’s bres’, 

’N’ yo’ tu’n mouty sof to yo’ res’. 

To yo’ res’, 

’N’ yo’ tu’n mouty sof’ to yo’ res’. 

Leigh Richmond Miner, 


m 

A SLEEPY SONG 
{For a little girl) 

Now I’ll put on your nice little evening coat, 
And button it all the way down— 

We’ll take a nice ride in mother’s own cart, 
And ride into Sleepy Town. 


253 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

We’ll make a short call at Nappy’s store, 

And buy a nice dream or two, 

And then we’ll drive home in the starry night, 
Through the hush of the flow’rs and dew. 

My baby! 

Then we’ll untie the dream from Nappy’s store 
And roll up the string of gold. 

And undo the paper of lovely blue 
And see what dear Nappy sold. 

Oh, my! what a beautiful, beautiful dream! 

All little girls dressed in pink. 

With dear little ponies and silver carts. 

Now we’re ready to ride, I think. 

My baby! My baby! 

Carrie Jacobs-Bond, 

ROSY-POSY 

Rosy, my posy. 

You’re sleepy and dozy. 

Sit upon grandmamma’s knee— 

Songs I will sing you 
Sweet sleep to bring you. 

Cuddle up cozy with me. 

I will sing ditties 
Of birds and of kitties, 

The song of the well to begin. 

How young Johnny Stout 
Pulled Pussy cat out 
When Johnny Green let her fall in; 


254 


A Book of Lullabies 

Of timid Miss Muffet 
Who fled from the tuffet,— 

Of birdie that sings on the tree— 

Of Jack and his Jill, 

And the mouse in the mill, 

And Bobby who sailed on the sea. 

Rosy, my posy, 

So weary and dozy— 

Now she is coming, I see. 

All sleepy and dozy 

To cuddle up cozy 

And hush-a-by baby with me. 

Mrs, Carter, 


A NURSERY HOUR 

Up and down, up and down. 

Baby’s riding on my knee. 
Crumpling up my silken gown 
In her glee, in her glee; 

Striking with her rosy fists. 

Striving with her tiny wrists. 

Trot my nag, trot my nag. 

Baby rides more gently now; 

All her ardor seems to lag 
Lay her low, lay her low. 

Let her steed unbridled be. 

Baby sleeps upon my knee. 

Lady Lindsay. 


255 


Ways to Lullaby Land 
LULLABY 

A song for the baby, sweet little Bopeep; 

Come, wee Willie Winkie, and sing her to sleep. 

Come toss her high up, and trot her low down ; 
This is the road to Brinklepeeptown. 

Come, press down her eyelids, and sing in her ear 
' The wonderful songs that in Dreamland we hear. 

The chime of the waters, the drone of the bees. 
The tales that the blossoms are telling the breeze. 

For, spite of her crowing and cooing, I see 
The baby is sleepy as sleepy can be. 

Down flutter the eyelids—dear little Bopeep, 
Now whist! Willie Winkie, she^s gone fast asleep. 

Shirley Dare. 


NIGHT 

The snow is white, the wind is cold— 

The king has sent for my three-year-old. 
Bring the pony and shoe him fast 
With silver shoes that were made to last. 
Bring the saddle trimmed with gold; 

Put foot in stirrup, my three-year-old; 
Jump in the saddle, away, away! 

And hurry back by the break of day; 

By break of day, through dale and down. 
And bring me the news from Slumbertown. 

Mary F. Butts. 


256 A Book of Lullabies 

A SLUMBER SONG 

A beautiful bird at the casement sings, 

Now clear, now soft, his sweet voice rings! 

Sleep, my bonny one, sleep 1 
And he tells of the land o’er the azure sea, 
Where babies and birdies so blithe will be, 
Sleep, my bonny one, sleep! 

When your soft lids fall, with their curling 
fringe. 

He spreads his purple and silver wings. 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 

And bears you away to the golden west, 

Where the south-wind rocks his mate in her 
nest. 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 

For there all the babies in slumber go, 

To play with the angel babes, you know, 

Sleep, my bonny one, sleep! 

They gather the flowers of rubies and pearls, 
That gleam like stars in their tangled curls, 
Sleep, my bonny one, sleep! 

They harness the butterflies, two and two. 
With cobweb strands of silvery hue. 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 

While from tree and bower, blossom and spray. 
Each wild bird carols a roundelay. 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 


257 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

They chase and ride, with shouts of glee, 

The angels’ lambs o’er the dew-kissed lea. 
Sleep, my bonny one, sleep! 

The lambs and their mother to us, you see, 
Seem only the stars and the moon to be, 
Sleep, my bonny one, sleep! 

Go, play with the angels the whole night long, 
And join in their frolic, and sport and song! 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 

But oh, bright bird, at the peep of day. 

Bring back my bairnie to me, I pray— 

Sleep, my pretty one, sleep! 

A. Holcombe Aiken. 

TO SLUMBER TOWN 

Here’s the way to Slumber Town, 

Which you cannot miss, I know. 

For at every turn of road 
Doth a nodding poppy grow. 

Here’s the road to Slumber Town, 

Which to-night doth be so near 
That your mother’s lullaby 
All the lonely way you’ll hear. 

Here’s the road to Slumber Town; 

All the children go the way; 

And they come not back again 
Till the lark awakes the day. 

M. E. W. 


258 


A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY 

Day is stealing down the West, 

Tender, drowsy sounds are heard; 
Closer now each downy bird 
Creeps ’neath mother-wings to rest. 

In the fading sky afar, 

Kindled by some angel hand, 
Twinkling comes a tiny star,— 

Baby’s guide to Sleepy-land. 

Cooler, darker grows the air. 

Eerie shadows haunt the room; 

In the garden, through the gloom, 
’Wildering bats and owlets fare; 

But the lambs and birdies seem 
Happy now at home to keep, 

And a darling little dream 
Smiles at baby in his sleep. 

Florence Earle Coates, 

CRADLE-SONG 

Sleep, my babe, your road of dreams 
By the fireflies shall be lighted: 

See them link their tingling teams 
Round you, lest you go be-nighted! 

Off to-night your father flies 
Honey from the stars to bring: 
Star-town, ah, how far it lies! 

Thither he goes travelling. 


259 


Ways to Lullaby Laud 

But at daybreak, big with news, 
Backward riding he shall come, 

Bright of hoof across the dews. 

Beating on a golden drum! 

Laure7ice Housman, 

SLUMBER FAIRIES 

Hush, my little one! Hush! Lie down. 

Mamma will sing— 

Sing of a boy in a wee white gown. 

Sing of a king with a golden crown, 

A crown of curls on a sweet, small head, 
And a throne as high as a trundle-bed. 
Dear little king! 

Hush, my baby! a song I know 
Softer than all,— 

A song as soft as the falling snow. 

And I will sing it so light and low. 

Baby must listen and lie as still 
As the snowflakes lie on the quiet hill. 
Where they fall. 

Does baby know, when the day grows late. 
Chilly and dim. 

The slumber fairies who stand and wait 
Out in the lane and beyond the gate. 

Pass over the lawn and open the door 
And steal across the nursery floor. 

Looking for him? 


260 


A Book of Lullabies 

Such tiny fairies, with slippers white 
Over their feet. 

Their cloaks are gray as the early night, 

But their caps are lit with a silver light, 

As if a moonbeam were caught, perhaps. 

And cut up small into fairy caps 
Dainty and neat. 

Up the side of the trundle-bed 
Softly they go. 

And over the pillow with gentle tread 
They come to the golden baby head. 

Under his lashes he tries to peep. 

But before he knows, he is fast asleep. 

Isn’t it so? 

For they bind the baby with fairy charms 
Wondrous to tell. 

They loose the clasp of the dimpled arms. 
And smooth his forehead with soft, small 
palms. 

And draw their cloaks o’er his drowsy ears. 
Till a fairy music is all he hears. 

Pleasing him well. 

They shade his eyes with a little dream. 
Where did it grow? 

It grew by the side of the fairy stream. 
Where baby wandereth now, I deem. 

With the slumber-fairies to guide his feet. 
Good-night, dear laddie! Your rest be sweet! 
Mamma must go. 

Katharine Lee Bates. 


261 


JVays to Lullaby Land 

SLEEP FAIRY 

‘‘Heigho, my precious! '' sings the little brown 
Mary,— 

Baby is sleeping, and Mary is too I 

So shut the white eyelids and hark for Sleep 
Fairy! 

She’ll come with her dream-songs to sister 
and you. 

Hear her soft mantle, among the high grasses! 

Hear the sweet twang as she touches the 
strings; 

All the winds pause when her fairy harp passes. 

All the birds listen when Sleep Fairy sings. 

Heigho, my primrose, the daylight is sleeping! 

Draw the white curtains across your blue 
eyes, 

Shut out the shadow that round us comes creep¬ 
ing, 

For night never darkens in Sleep Fairy’s skies. 

See how the daisies nid, nod, as they listen! 

All the brown bunnies lie warm in their nests, 

Deep in the brook-bed the still fishes glisten. 

Sleep Fairy sings while the busy world rests. 

Annie E, Tynan. 


LULLABY 

Slumber, slumber, little one, now 

The bird is asleep in his nest on the bough, 


262 


A Book of LuUabies 

The bird is asleep, he has folded his wings, 

And over him softly the dream-fairy sings: 
Lullaby, lullaby—lullaby! 

Pearls in the deep— 

Stars in the sky. 

Dreams in our sleep; 

So lullaby! 

Slumber, slumber, little one, soon 
The fairy will come in the ship of the moon; 
The fairy will come with the pearls and the stars. 
And dreams will come singing through shadowy 
bars: 

Lullaby, lullaby—lullaby! 

Pearls in the deep— 

Stars in the sky. 

Dreams in our sleep; 

So lullaby! 


Slumber, slumber, little one, so; 

The stars are the pearls that the dream-fairies 
know. 

The stars are the pearls, and the bird in the nest, 
A dear little fellow the fairies love best: 

Lullaby, lullaby—lullaby! 

Pearls in the deep— 

Stars in the sky. 

Dreams in our sleep; 

So lullaby! 

Frank Dempster Sherman. 


Ways to Lullaby Land 


203 


THE SANDMAN 

When the lights are lit, 

And the table’s set, 

And the maid brings in the buns; 
Tommy Tinker’s eyes 
Get as big and wise, 

For that’s when the Sandman comes. 

And the butter’d bun, 

With the jelly on. 

Rosy red as jelly should be. 

And the last sweet sup 
From the silver cup 
Of the drowsy cambric tea. 

From his great high chair 
He tries to stare 
And pretend he’s wide awake; 

But his hand falls down 
And he drops his spoon. 

And the Sandman gets his cake. 

Ah! my beauteous boy, 

I am sad with you, 

I am glad with a pain that fears. 

In your mother’s breast 
I would keep your nest. 

For the Sandman of the years. 

Mary White Slater 


264 


A Book of Lullabies 


THE SANDMAN 

From the German 

The flowers have gone to bed, 

The moon’s begun to shine. 

Each nods its little head 
Upon its stem so fine. 

The branches rustle; and they seem 
To sigh as in a dream, 

Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy, 

Sleep, my baby, sleep. 


The birds that sang so sweetly 
By day, have gone to rest. 
And each is tucked up neatly 
All in its little nest; 

The cottage in the garden here 
Is still awake, I fear. 

Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy. 

Sleep, my baby, mine. 


The Sandman will be coming 
And poking in his head. 

To look for naughty children 
That haven’t gone to bed: 

And if he takes them by surprise, 
The sand flies in their eyes! 
Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy, 

Sleep, my baby, sleep. 


Ways to Lullaby Land 


265 


THE SAND-MAN 

What has this man got? A sack. 

Where does he carry it? On his back. 

What is there in it? Tell if you’re wise; 
Why, sand to throw in the children’s eyes. 

The Sand-Man, the Sand-Man, 

Oh, isn’t he a grand man? 

Be you ever so wise, he’ll throw dust in your 
eyes, 

I’d have you to understand, man. 

When night comes, and time for bed; 

In he steps with muffled tread; 

In his sack he thrusts his hand. 

Out he pulls a handful of sand; 

And herein the trickery lies. 

That he throws it right in the children’s eyes. 

The Sand-Man, the Sand-Man, 

Oh, isn’t he a grand man? 

Be you ever so wise, he’ll shut your eyes. 
And make you to sleep—will Sand-Man. 


THE SAND-MAN 

He peeps in through the key-hole. 
And he bobs up at the pane, 
When scarlet firelight dances 
On wall and floor again. 


266 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hush! here he comes—the Sand-Man, 

With his dream-cap he is crowned, 

And grains of sleep he scatters, 

Going round and round and round— 
While the little ones are nodding, going 
round. 


He whispers quaintest fancies; 

With a tiny silver thread 
He sews up silken eyelids 
That ought to be in bed. 

Each wee head nods acquaintance. 

He’s known wherever found; 

All stay-up lates he catches, 

Going round and round and round— 
With a pack of dreams forever going round. 


I see two eyes the brightest ; 

But I’ll not tell whose they are! 

They shut up like a lily— 

That Sand-Man can’t be far! 

Somebody grows so quiet— 

Who comes without a sound? 

He leads one more to Dream-land, 

Going round and round and round! 

And a good-night to the Sand-Man, going 
round. 


George Cooper. 


Ways to Lullaby Land 


267 


A DIXIE LULLABY 

0! de sun quit a-shinin’ fo^ dis arternoon, 

De possum in de gum-tree mighty still, 

An’ de ole San’-Man jump off f’um de moon 
W’en hit done come obah de hill. 

An’ he come erlong totin’ a baig full o’ san’ 
Fo’ ter frow inter pickaninnies’ eyes, 

An’ he teck dem erway to de sweet Slumber-lan’ 
Fo’ ter stay ’twell de nex’ sun-rise. 

So g’long wif de San’-Man, deah, 

De good Lawd keep 
Yo’ w’ile yo’ sleep. 

An’ yo’ mammy’ll ’wait yo’ heah. 

0! he’ll teck yo’ up on a bright moon-ray 
An’ he’ll rock yo’ on a cloud in de skies. 

An’ he’ll keep yo’ dar ’twell de break o’ day. 
So, mah honey, jes’ close yo’ eyes; 

’Less de moon go down in de far-off west. 

An’ outer de dahk swamp-lan’ 

De bad Boogy-Man come out ob he nest 
An’ skeer off de good San’-Man. 

So g’long wif de San’-Man, deah, 

De good Lawd keep 
Yo’ w’ile yo’ sleep. 

An’ yo’ mammy’ll ’wait yo’ heah. 

T, A, Daly. 


268 


A Book of Lullabies 
LULLABY 

Day is ending; night is falling; 

From the Land of Drowsihead, 

Don^t you hear the Sand-Man calling, 

‘‘ Children all should be abed ” ? 

Go to sleep! Go to sleep! 

Not for all his golden treasure 
Will he sell the wicked King 
Sleepy-sand the smallest measure, 

Nor for any precious thing. 

Go to sleep! Go to sleep! 

Best he loves the poor man’s dwelling. 

Tire and ache the surest plea 
For the gift beyond all telling 
Sweet to men on land and sea. 

Go to sleep! Go to sleep! 

Bless him for his magic fetter! 

Now, my sweet, he comes to you. 

Eyes wide open? All the better! 

He will know just what to do. 

Go to sleep! Go to sleep! 

John White Chadwick, 

THE SAND-MAN 

Twilight is here and the baby is weary— 

Weary of laughing and weary of play; 
Sleepy-by comes, and the eyes of the darling 
Would close, like a veil, on the scenes of the day. 



From a Co}*ley Print. 

Copyright ry Curtis & Cameron, Boston, Mass. 

THE END OF THE DAY. 

From Painting hy Sergeant Kendall. 




1 



Ways to Lullaby Land 269 

Calmly it lies in the arms of the mother, 

Holy and pure, as an angel it seems, 

One little smile, and a sweet little dimple. 

And baby has gone to the land of the dreams. 
Hush! not a word, not a footfall around her. 

Turn down the clothes of the little white nest. 
Turn down the light, for the Sand-Man has found 
her. 

And angels are guarding the baby at rest. 

Now as I look on this mother’s own treasure. 

Idol of home and the comfort of all. 

Sadly I think of the woe without measure, 
Sorrows that cling, and the tears that wull fall. 
As I’m recalling my own without number. 
Haunting my pillow, when longing for rest, 

I’d keep her a baby forever, to slumber 
And smile in her dream on her fond mother’s 
breast. 

Hush! let the voices be gentle around her, 

Baby, sleep on, while thy angels attend; 

Sweet little darling! the Sand-Man has found her, 
And when she has grown, may he still be a 
friend. 

Elmer Ruan Coates, 

THE SANDMAN 

The rosy clouds float overhead. 

The sun is going down; 

And now the Sandman’s gentle tread 
Comes stealing through the town. 


270 


A Book of Lullabies 

White sand, white sand,’’ he softly cries. 

And as he shakes his hand. 

Straightway there lies on babies’ eyes 
His gift of shining sand. 

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown. 
As shuts the rose, they softly close, when he 
goes through the town. 

From sunny beaches far away— 

Yes, in another land— 

He gathers up at break of day 
His store of shining sand. 

No tempests beat that shore remote. 

No ships may sail that way; 

His little boat alone may float 
Within that lovely bay. 

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown. 
As shuts the rose, they softly close, when he 
goes through the town. 

^ He smiles to see the eyelids close 
Above the happy eyes; 

And every child right well he knows,— 

Oh, he is very wise! 

But if, as he goes through the land, 

A naughty baby cries. 

His other hand takes dull gray sand 
To close the wakeful eyes. 

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown. 
As shuts the rose, they softly close, when he 
goes through the town. 


271 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

So when you hear the Sandman^s song 
Sound through the twilight sweet, 

Be sure you do not keep him long 
A-waiting on the street. 

Lie softly down, dear little head, 

Rest quiet, busy hands. 

Till, by your bed his good-night said. 

He strews the shining sands. 

Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown. 
As shuts the rose, they softly close, when he 
goes through the town. 

’ Margaret Vandegrijt, 

THE DUSTMAN 

When the shades of night are falling, and the sun 
goes down, 

0! the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut¬ 
eye Town. 

And he throws dust in the eyes of all the babies 
that he meets. 

No matter where he finds them, in the house or 
in the streets. 

Then the baby^s eyes grow heavy and the lids drop 
down. 

When the Dustman comes a-creeping in from 
Shut-eye Town. 

When mother lights the lamp and draws the cur¬ 
tains down, 

0! the Dustman comes a-creeping in from Shut¬ 
eye Town. 


272 A Book of Lullabies 

And the babies think the Dustman is as mean as 
he can be, . 

For he shuts their eyes at nightfall, just when 
they want to see. 

But their little limbs are weary, for all they fret 
and frown. 

When the Dustman comes a-creeping in from 
Shut-eye Town. 


THE DUSTMAN 

When the toys are growing weary. 

And the twilight gathers in; 

When the nursery still echoes 
With the children’s merry din; 

I Then unseen, unheard, unnoticed. 
Comes an old man up the stair. 
Lightly to the children passes. 

Lays his hand upon their hair. 

Softly smiles the good old Dustman; 

In their eyes the dust he throws. 

Till their little heads are falling, 

And their weary eyes must close. 

- Then the Dustman very gently 
Takes each little dimpled hand 
Leads them through the sweet green 
shadows, 

Far away in Slumberland. 

Frederick Edward Weatherly. 


273 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

SWING LOW, SWING LOW 

Swing low—swing low— 

Now do the sleep-folk gather; 

Queer little people, as you must know, 

With ways that amaze us rather; 

People with methods of fading away. 

Safe to their country they bear us. 

Hey, there! you bairnies with eyes blue or 
gray. 

Sometimes the Sleep-people scare us! 

Swing low—swing low— 

This is a song for my dearie. 

Faith! she insisted on music, and so, 

I may sing on till I’m weary. 

Swing low—swing low— 

Here is a fatherly Brownie. 

He comes to invite you, invite you to go. 
Wrapped in Sleep’s mantle so downy, 
Unto the country where Brownies abound, 
Where elfins are playing above you; 

The queerest queer country that ever you 
found. 

Where all of the Sleep-people love you. 

Swing low—swing low— 

Better be sleeping, be sleeping. 

The Day-world but wearies, it wearies and so 
Into the Sleep-world go creeping. 


274 


A Book of Lullabies 

Swing low—swing low— 

Sleeptime and nighttime are near us; 

The little Sleep-people now flit to and fro, 
They come but to greet us and cheer us. 

A moment, a moment, and you shall be there. 
With elfins of Slumberland cheery, 

Past the world of unrest and the country of 
care. 

My little one, little one, dearie. 

Swing low—swing low— 

Eyelids are creeping down—creeping. 

One faint, final flutter, one flutter, and so 
My bairnie is sleeping, is sleeping. 

SLEEPY MAN 

When the Sleepy Man comes with the dust on 
his eyes, 

(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

He shuts up the earth, and he opens the skies. 
(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 

He smiles through his fingers, and shuts up the 
sun; 

(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

The stars that he loves he lets out one by one. 
(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 

He comes from the castles of Drowsy-boy Town; 

(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

At the touch of his hand the tired eyelids fall 
down. 

(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 


Ways to Lullaby Land 275 

He comes with a murmur of dream in his wings; 

(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

And whispers of mermaids and wonderful things. 
(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 

Then the top is a burden, the bugle a bane; 

(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

When one would be faring down Dream-a-way 
Lane. 

(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 

When one would be wending in Lullaby Wherry, 
(Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!) 

To Sleepy Man’s Castle by Comforting Ferry. 
(So hush-a-by, weary my Dearie!) 

Charles G. D. Roberts. 

THE ROCK-A-BY LADY 

The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby Street 
Comes stealing; comes creeping; 

The poppies they hang from her head to her feet. 
And each hath a dream that is tiny and fleet— 
She bringeth her poppies to you, my sweet. 
When she findeth you sleeping! 

There is one little dream of a beautiful drum— 
Rub-a-dub! ” it goeth; 

There is one little dream of a big sugar-plum, 
And lo! thick and fast the other dreams come 
Of pop-guns that bang, and tin tops that hum. 
And a trumpet that bloweth! 


276 


A Book of Lullabies 

And dollies peep out of those wee little dreams 
With laughter and singing; 

And boats go a-floating on silvery streams, 

And the stars peek-a-boo with their own misty 
gleams, 

And up, up, and up, where the Mother Moon 
beams. 

The fairies go winging! 


Would you dream all these dreams that are tiny 
and fleet ? 

They’ll come to you sleeping; 

So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet, 
For the Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby Street, 
With poppies that hang from her head to her feet. 
Comes stealing; comes creeping. 

Eugene Field. 


AULD DADDY DARKNESS 

Auld Daddy Darkness creeps frae his hole. 
Black as a blackamoor, blin’ as a mole: 

Stir the Are till it lowes, let the bairnie sit, 
Auld Daddy Darkness is no wantit yit. 


See him in the corners hidin’ frae the licht. 
See him at the window gloomin’ at the nicht; 
Turn up the gas licht, close the shutters a’, 
An’ Auld Daddy Darkness will flee far awa’. 


277 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

Awa’ to hide the birdie within its cozy nest, 
Awa’ to lap the wee flooers on their mither’s 
breast, 

Awa’ to loosen Gaffer Toil frae his daily ca’, 
For Auld Daddy Darkness is kindly to a’. 

He comes when we’re weary to wean’s frae oor 
waes. 

He comes when the bairnies are getting aff their 
claes; 

To cover them sae cozy, an’ bring bonnie 
dreams, 

So Auld Daddy Darkness is better than he 
seems. 

Steek yer een, my wee tot, ye’ll see Daddy then; 
He’s in below the bed claes, to cuddle ye he’s 
fain; 

Noo nestle to his bosie, sleep and dream yer fill. 
Till Wee Davie Daylicht comes keekin’ owre 
the hill. 

James Ferguson, 

LULLABY SONG 

Where does my sweetheart baby go 
While the cradle is swinging her to and fro,— 
While mother is singing a lullaby 
In a voice like none other, so sweet and low? 

Lullaby, baby, lullaby dear! 

Yield thee to slumber, mother is near; 


278 


A Book of Lullabies 

Far on Sleep's ocean, jear not to go, 

God is around thee, loving thee so! 

Does she fly away to the home of Night, 

When eyelids droop over blue eyes bright? 

Does she seek the place where the dreams are 
born, 

Clad in her dreaming-dress of white? 

Her cradle sways like a fairy boat 
On the gentle Slumber River afloat. 

That bears on its bosom a baby fleet. 

As the sunbeam many a shining mote. 

So swiftly the babies are sweeping along 
As if a breeze in the sail blew strong, 

Yet no waves beat, for it is not the wind 
But the crooning of many a mother-song. 

Down Slumber River their course they keep, 
Until they come to the sea of Sleep; 

And the mermaids tell them of wonderful 
things. 

For they are the dreams that arise from the 
deep. 

William P. M'Kenzie. 

THE BOATS OF SLUMBERLAND 

When all the West is fold on fold 
Of red, and clouds are tipped with gold. 
And cows come winding o^er the flats. 

And like swift shadows flit the bats. 


279 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

And the winds from the South are cool, 
As they had breathed across a pool 
To bring its cooling touch to you, 

And blossoms lift to meet the dew. 
And children come outdoors to play. 
Then cares of life are put away. 


Then cares and griefs are put aside; 
And all the world so big and wide 
Seems just a blossomed romping place 
Where little children laugh and race 
And blow rose petals in the air, 

And twine white clovers in their hair. 
And finally, at sleepy time. 

Come to your side, arms up, to climb 
Into your lap and settle down 
For the sweet trip to Slumbertown. 


Then, when the cows are at the bars. 
And all the sky is blinking stars, 

And the moonflowers, big and white, 
Come out, backgrounded by the night. 
That is life’s glad and holy time! 

And little folks who come to climb 
Into your lap, hear the low notes 
Of mother’s song, and fairy boats 
Drift into an enchanted strand 
To carry them to Slumberland. 


280 


A Book of Lullabies 


A SERVIAN LULLABY 

Little golden son, the rain is coming, coming— 

Little golden daughter, the sun has set; 

Birds stop singing now and wheels begin their 
humming. 

Flowers fold softly up from the dark and wet— 

Strawberry flowers and blackberry and wild 
mignonette. 

Little golden son, your bed is spread and ready 

All with snowy blankets soft as silk may be; 

’Tis a fairy boat that shall sail you straight and 
steady 

To the shores of Dreamtown, o’er a shining sea. 

To the shores of Dreamtown, • little golden 
daughter. 

Sail away and sail away till the dawn is red; 

Pleasant be your voyage over golden water. 

Till you wake by Marko in your own white bed. 

Sail away to Dreamtown where dream-folk are 
keeping 

Crowns set thick with rubies for gold heads of 
you; 

Would that I might also once again while sleeping 

Leave the weary spinning as your father left his 
reaping, 

And sail away to Dreamtown where the skies 
are blue. 


Nora Hopper. 


TV ays to Lullaby Land 


281 


SWING, CRADLE, SWING 

Baby is a sailor boy, 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Sailing is the sailor’s joy. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Swing, cradle; swing, cradle; swing, cradle, swing. 

Snowy sails and precious freight. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Baby’s captain, mother’s mate. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Swing, cradle; swing, cradle; swing, cradle, swing. 

Never fear, the watch is set. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Stormy gales are never met. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Swing, cradle; swing, cradle; swing, cradle, swing. 

Little eyelids downward creep. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Now he’s in the cove of sleep. 

Swing, cradle, swing. 

Swing, cradle; swing, cradle; swing, cradle, swing. 

George Cooper, 

THE VOYAGE TO LULLABY LAND 

When prayers have been offered and good-nights 
are said. 

And little folks all have been tucked into bed: 


282 A Book of Lullabies 

When out from the heavens the star babies peep, 
And each drowsy infant has fallen asleep, 

There comes from the shadow a wee little ship 
To carry the dreamers away for a trip 
Where the golden waves plash on the silvery 
strand 

Of that beautiful spot called the Lullaby Land. 


When all of the babies are safely aboard. 

And plenty of sweetmeats and goodies are stored. 

The little ship glides through the soft, starlit skies 

Toward the Lullaby Land, and the dream para¬ 
dise. 

Where the whippoorwill wings in its nocturnal 
flight. 

And the flickering moonbeams keep w’atch 
through the night, 

While the bright, jeweled stars cast their radiance 
down 

In beauteous splendor o’er Slumberland Town. 


The fare for the passage is naught but a smile 
To carry each babe to that far-away isle 
Where the houses are all manufactured from cake 
And the sugar plum bushes you freely can shake; 
There’s a lemonade river and other things nice, 
And the fruit trees are laden with candy and 
spice; 

While the beach is all sugar instead of plain sand 
In that magical spot called the Lullaby Land. 


Ways to Lullaby Land 283 

Through bright, fleecy clouds speeds the wee little 
ship, 

While laughter and singing make merry the trip; 
O'er the billowy deep, with the outgoing tides, 
Now rocking, now swaying, the airy craft glides; 
And the breezes blow softly as down through the 
bay 

Of sweet Dreams the little ship saileth away; 
And the Lullaby Lady is there in command. 
With the Sand Man as pilot from Nodaway Land. 

The stars hang their lanterns far up in the sky 
To lighten the way as the dream ship goes by; 
And soon after darkness the land is in sight 
Where the babies will romp through the soft sum¬ 
mer night; 

The little ship reaches the harbor at last, 

The white sails are furled and the anchor is cast, 
The harbor bells ring from the shadowy shore 
Of Lullaby Land, and the voyage is o'er. 

E. A. Brininstool. 

THE CRADLE-BOAT 

Baby is sailing away in a boat,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

Never a sailor so sleepy afloat,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

Birdies have gone to their nest in the tree,— 
They never made such a voyage as we; 

Over the billows we bound merrily,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 


284 


A Book of Lullabies 

Purple and golden now glimmers the sun,— 
Rock, little baby, rock! 

Half of our voyage is over and done,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

Oh, the fair shore that we sail to afar! 

There every shell is as bright as a star; 

There all the roses the prettiest are; 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

Mother is guiding her sailor, so bright,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

She will keep watch, so a kiss for good-night; 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

Close to the harbor of Sleep now we sail; 
Softly we anchor from Care’s weary gale; 
Back we shall come when the morning we 
hail,— 

Rock, little baby, rock! 

John Keynton. 


THE DREAM BOAT 

We are sailing away in a Wonder-Boat, 
Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

W^e sail and sail, away and away. 

Far past the realms of the Waking Day, 
Where Near and Far are a silvery gray— 
’Tis the borderland of Night, they say— 

” And there w^e drift and gently float. 

Drift, float, in our Wonder-Boat, 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 


285 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

And what is this Boat for baby here? 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

A wee little craft, so new, so old. 

The sails of silver, the hull of gold. 

While around the masts the poppies fold. 

And the boat is filled from peak to hold 
With tiny dreams for you, my dear. 

Dreams dear, for baby here. 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

Who sails away in this Magic-Boat? 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

There’s mamma, of course, with sleepy eyes; 
Close, close in her arms her baby lies; 

A quaint little owl around them flies, 

While the Dream Man stands, so kind and wise, 
And lets them nod, and idly float. 

Nod, float, in their Magic-Boat, 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

Who is the Dream Man who loves you so? 

Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

He’s a tall old man with soft white hair, 
Loose wrapped in a garment gray and bare 
That streams and flutters upon the air. 

He’s thinking of dreams while standing there 
To waft unto, you, my baby fair. 

And sends thoughts sweet as a whispered 
prayer. 

And gives you dreams that twinkle and glow. 
Twinkle and glow, for he loves you so. 
Heigh-ho, my baby, 0! 

Louise Ayres Garnett. 


286 


A Book of Lullabies 


HUSH SONG 

Written to an old Irish air found in C. Villiers 
Stanford's collection 

Rest asthoreen, down the boreen 
Come the cows a mooing low, 

Eve is falling, birds are calling, 

So their mates to sleep may go. 

We’ll go boating, gently floating 
On dream river, shoheen sho! 

By the meadows where the shadows 
Gleam and darken, come and go. 

Husha-bye, 0! Closer lie, 0! 

Closer lie to mother’s breast. 

Awake or sleeping, in God’s keeping 
May my baby always rest. 

Through the rushes, ’mong the bushes 
Winds are whispering soft and low. 

While my pleasure—to my treasure 
Is to croon—hush 0! hush 0! 

The sailing’s over, under cover 
Hides thy blue eyes’ dewy glow, 

Sprite nor fairy ne’er shall scare thee, 
Angels care thee^—lulla lo! 


Mary Anne O'Reilly. 



Ways to Lullaby Land 


287 


AN IRISH LULLABY 

IVe found my bonny babe a nest 
On Slumber Tree; 

I’ll rock you there to rosy rest, 
Asthore Machree! 

Oh, lulla lo! sing all the leaves 
On Slumber Tree, 

Till everything that hurts or grieves 
Afar must flee. 

I’ve put my pretty child to float 
Away from me. 

Within the new moon’s silver boat 
On Slumber Sea. 

And when your starry sail is o’er 
From Slumber Sea, 

My precious one, you’ll step to shore. 
On mother’s knee. 

Alfred Perceval Graves. 


HUSHABYE SEA 

Soft breezes blowing, and low in the west 
The red glow is fading—my little one, rest! 

Rest v/hile the stars twinkle soft in the sky 
And the great golden moon slips so silently by. 
Wee little feet are so weary with play— 

Rest in my arms, dear, and we’ll sail away: 


288 


A Book of Lullabies 

Lullabye Boat on the Hushabye Sea, 

A white-petalled rose, dear, our swift sail 
shall be; 

A moonbeam of gold, dear, we’ll use for a 
mast, 

And then, dear, to Dreamland we’ll sail on 
so fast— 

In our island of Dreamland we’ll rest, dear, 
at last. 


Pink are the clouds that float high in the east. 
The murmur of waves on the shore, dear, has 
ceased. 

Back to the Day land, the playland, we’ll go; 
The bright sun will greet us so gladly, I know. 
Wee little lady, all rested from sleep! 

Close in my arms, dear, my treasure I’ll keep. 


Rockabye waves swing us swiftly along; 

Sweet winds of morning shall blow clean and 
strong. 

White-breasted seagulls our sailors shall 
be— 

In our Lullabye Boat, dear, on Hushabye 
Sea, 

Come sail back to daddy, in Dayland, with 
me. 


Harry Noyes Pratt. 



Ways to Lullaby Land 289 

FRAGMENT OF A SLEEP-SONG 

Sister Simplicitie, 

Sing, sing a song to me, 

Sing me to sleep. 

Some legend low and long, 

Slow as the summer song 
Of the dull Deep. 

Some legend long and low, 

Whose equal ebb and flow 
To and fro creep 
On the dim marge of gray 
’Tween the soul’s night and day. 
Washing awake ” away 
Into “ asleep.” 

Some legend low and long. 

Never so weak or strong 
As to let go 

While it can hold this heart 
Withouten sigh or smart. 

Or as to hold this heart 
When it sighs No.” 

Some long, low, swaying song. 

As the sway’d shadow long. 

Sways to and fro 

Where, thro’ the crowing cocks. 

And by the swinging clocks, 

Some weary mother rocks 
Some weary woe. 


290 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sing up and down to me 
Like a dream-boat at sea, 

So, and still so. 

Float through the then ’’ and when,” 
Rismg from when to then. 

Sinking from then to when 
While the waves go. 

Low and high, high and low. 

Now and then, then and now. 

Now, now; 

And when the now is then, and when the 
then is now. 

And when the low is high, and when the 
high is low, 

Low, low; 

Let me float, let the boat 
Go, go; 

Let me glide, let me slide 
Slow, slow; 

Gliding boat, sliding boat. 

Slow, slow; 

Glide away, slide away. 

So, so. 

Sydney Dobell. 


LULLABY 

Ifll send you now sailing across the sea. 
I’ll send you now sailing away— 
Out where the fishes love to be. 

Out where the gulls 
Are at play. 


291 


Ways to Lullaby Land 

But soon you’ll come sailing from far away, 
Come sailing from over the sea— 

Back where my baby loves to stay, 

Back again home 
To me.” 


Witter Bynner. 


THE LAND OF DREAMS 


BYLO-LAND 

What do they do in Bylo-land, 

Silvery, shadowy Bylo-land? 

They swing no bat, they fly no kite: 

The tattered dolls are forgotten quite: 

But out through the gate of the City of Night 
The little ones glide in garments white 
To beautiful Bylo-land. 

What do they hear in Bylo-land, 

Glimmering, mystical Bylo-land? 

Ah, little ears hear wonderful things: 
Snatches of song that mother sings 
When the light sinks low, and the rocker 
swings; 

And lullaby sounds from hidden springs 
In the hills of Bylo-land. 

How win them back frorn Bylo-land, 

Magical, emerald Bylo-land? 

When the last faint star in heaven dies 
And the dusk grows wan where the moun¬ 
tains rise. 

When the great sun climbs the yellow skies, 
Then mother’s kisses on drowsy eyes 
Woo back from Bylo-land. 


292 


James B. Kenyon. 




From a Coplev Print. 

Copyright by Cgrtis & Cameron, Boston, Mass. 

MOTHER AND CHILD. 
From PauLtliKj by Albert Nc}ifiuys. 





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293 


The Land of Dreams 

JOHNNY^S BY-LOW SONG 

Here on our rock-away horse we go, 
Johnny and I, to a land we know,— 

Far away in the sunset gold, 

A lovelier land than can be told. 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod, 
Nod, nod, niddlety nod! 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod. 
And all the birds sing by-low! 

Lullaby, lullaby, by-low. 

The gates are ivory set with pearls, 

One for the boys, and one for the girls; 

So shut your bonny two eyes of blue. 

Or else they never will let you through. 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod. 
Nod, nod, niddlety nod! 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod. 
And all the birds sing by-low! 

Lullaby, lullaby, by-low. 

But what are the children all about? 

There’s never a laugh and never a shout. 
Why, they all fell asleep, dear, long ago; 
For how could they keep awake, you know? 

When all the flowers went niddlety nod. 
Nod, nod, niddlety nod! 

When all the flowers went niddlety nod, 
And all the birds sang by-low! 

Lullaby, lullaby, by-low. 


294 


A Book of Lullabies 

And each little brown or golden head 
Is pillowed soft in a satin bed,— 

A satin bed with sheets of silk, 

As soft as down and as white as milk. 

And all the flowers go niddlety nod, 

Nod, nod, niddlety nod! 

And all the flowers go niddlety nod, 

And all the birds sing by-low! 

Lullaby, lullaby, by-low. 

The brook in its sleep goes babbling by, 
And the fat little clouds are asleep in the sky 
And now little Johnny is sleeping, too. 

So open the gates and pass him through. 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod. 
Nod, nod, niddlety nod! 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod. 
And all the birds sing by-low! 

Lullaby, lullaby, by-low. 

Laura E. Richards. 

THE LAND O’ NAE SURPRISE 

When bairns on pillows lay their heids. 
And shut their peepin’ eyes, 

A bonnie angel taks them off 
To land o’ Nae Surprise. 

It is a land o’ mysteries, 

O’ wonders great and sma’. 

If I should leeve a hunder years, 

I couldna tell them a’. 


295 


llie Land of Dreams 

Far stranger things will happen there 
Than ever man devis’d, 

And what surprises ye the maist 
Is that ye’re no’ surpris’d. 

A wee lang-leggit beggar-lass 
Will turn into a queen, 

And when ye think she’s fat as fat. 
She’ll grow as lean as lean. 

A cabbage there may be a rose, 

A rosebud cabbage size; 

There’s great onsartinty wi’ things 
In land o’ Nae Surprise. 

Nae word is just exackly sure 
O’ what it ocht to mean. 

And red’s no’ sartain sure it’s red 
But thinks it’s maybe green. 

Ye’re speakin’ to a leddy fine. 

And, sudden, then and there 
She changes to an elephant 
And flees up thro’ the air. 

Then while ye watch the elephant. 
And think he flaps right well. 

Ye find ye hae got wings to flap 
And flee awa’ yersel’. 

And when it’s near to breakfast-time 
A funny beastie comes 
And brings the bairnies back to land 
O’ copybooks and sums. 


296 


A Book of Lullabies 

They ca^ the beast the Brattle-Pig, 

And when it makes a noise, 

Sma’ folk are back at hame in bed; 

Just sleepy girls and boys. 

John Stevenson. 


THE BEAUTIFUL LAND OF NOD 

Come, cuddle your head on my shoulder, dear, 
Your head like the goldenrod. 

And we will go sailing away from here 
To the beautiful land of Nod. 

Away from life’s hurry, and flurry, and worry. 
Away from earth’s shadow^s and gloom. 

To a world of fair weather we’ll float off together, 
Where roses are always in bloom. 

Just shut up your eyes, and fold your hands, 
Your hands like the leaf of a rose. 

And we will go sailing to those fair lands 
That never an atlas shows. 

On the North and the West they are bounded by 
rest. 

On the South and the East by dreams; 

’Tis the country ideal, where nothing is real. 

But everything only seems. 

Just drop down the curtains of your dear eyes. 
Those eyes like a bright bluebell. 

And we will sail out under starlit skies. 

To the land where the fairies dwell. 


The Land of Dreams 297 

Down the river of sleep, our barque shall sweep, 
Till it reaches that mystical Isle 
Which no man hath seen, but where all have been, 
And there we will pause a while. 

I will croon you a song as we float along, 

To that shore that is blessed of God. 

Then ho! for that fair land, weTe off for that rare 
land. 

That beautiful Land of Nod. 

Ella Wheeler Wilcox, 


THE LAND OF NOD 

Far and away in the Land of Nod, 

The dreams and the sugar plums grow ; 

They hang on the trees, and sway in the breeze, 
‘ As they did in the long ago. 

Always at dusk in the Land of Nod, 

The tired little children stray; 

They reach for the dreams, though every one 
seems 

To be farther and farther away. 

All through the night in the Land of Nod, 

The dolls and the soldiers of tin 
Keep watch o’er the gate, lest some one should 
wait, 

Who wishes to enter therein. 


298 


A Book of Lullabies 

Truly the stars in the Land of Nod, 

Are candles that burn very low ; 

They shine without end, where the fond moth¬ 
ers bend. 

O’er the path that all little ones know. 

Elizabeth Hays Wilkinson, 


THE LAND OF DREAMS 

A herald am I from the Land of Dreams, 

And I come at my lord’s command, 

Who bids me proclaim, in his mighty name, 
The delights of his shadowy land. 

For the Land of Dreams is a beautiful land, 
Where trouble is never found. 

Where you live at ease, and do as you please. 
And pleasure and gladness abound. 

There are no schools in the Land of Dreams, 
And no dreadful lessons annoy, 

With romp and play, through the livelong day. 
Will your hearts be filled with joy. 

They never say no ” in the Land of Dreams, 
’Tis always certainly ” there, 

And during your play there is no one to say 
You mustn’t do that, my dear.” 

In the Land of Dreams every boy is a prince. 
And a princess every maid, 

Who joyously reign, with a fairy train 
In rainbow tints arrayed. 


299 


The Land of Dreams 

Then let us away to the Land of Dreams, 

To this beautiful, happy land; 

Just close your eyes and soon you will rise 
And step on its golden strand. 

H. F, Sargent. 

THE LAND OF DREAMS 

Awake, awake, my little boy! 

Thou wast thy mother’s only joy; 

Why dost thou weep in thy gentle sleep? 
Awake! thy father does thee keep. 

O, what land is the Land of Dreams? 

What are its mountains, and what are its 
streams? 

0 father! I saw my mother there. 

Among the lilies by waters fair. 

“ Among the lambs, clothed in white. 

She walk’d with her Thomas in sweet delight. 
I wept for joy, like a dove I mourn; 

0! when shall I again return? ” 

Dear child, I also by pleasant streams 
Have wander’d all night in the Land of 
Dreams; 

But tho’ calm and warm the waters wide, 

I could not get to the other side. 

Father, 0 father! what do we here 
In this land of unbelief and fear? 

The Land of Dreams is better far, 

Above the light of the morning star.” 

William Blake. 


REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS 


FOLK LULLABIES 
English 

Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep, 

It grieves me sore to see thee weep, 

For when thou weep’st thou wearies me, 
Hush-a-bye, lie still and bye. 

You shall have a new bonnet. 

With blue ribbons to tie on it. 

With a hush-a-bye, and a lull-a-baby, 
Why so like to Tommy’s daddy. 


Rock well my cradle 
And ‘‘ bee-baa,” my son, 
You shall have a new gown 
WTien ye Lord come home. 


0! still my child. Orange, 

Still him with a bell; 

I can’t still him, ladie. 

Till you come down yoursell! 


Where was a jewel and pretty, 
Where was a sugar and spicey, 
Hush-a-bye, babe, in the cradle, 
And we’ll go abroad in a tricey. 

300 



Rewards and Punishments 


301 


Plush-a-baa, baby, dinna mak’ a din, 

An’ ye’ll get a piece when the baker 
comes in. 

Welsh 

Hush-a-bye, baby, 

Sleep like a lady; 

You shall have milk 
When the cows do come home. 

German 

Lulla-lullaby, 

Hush, my babe, and do not cry; 

Nice sugar’d broth your nurse will bring, 
And till you sleep, to thee I’ll sing: 
Lu-lullaby. 

Lulla-lullaby, 

Hush, my babe, no danger nigh. 

As in your cradle now you swing. 

Until you sleep. I’ll softly sing, 

Lu-lullaby. 


Danish 

Lullaby, sweet baby mine! 

Mother spins the threads so fine; 
Father o’er the long bridge has gone. 
Shoes he’ll buy for little John, 

Pretty shoes with buckles bright. 
Sleep, baby mine, now sleep all night. 


302 


A Book of Lullabies 

Breton 

Go to sleep,‘•you poor little darling, 
Go to sleep, dear little Pierrot! 

I’ll sing sweet and low, 

And rock to and fro 
The crib of Pierrot, 

Whom we all love so. 

Go to sleep, you poor little darling. 
Go to sleep, dear little Pierrot! 


Mamma is below, 

She’s kneading the dough 
For cakes for Pierrot, 

Whom we all love so! 

Go to sleep, you poor little darling. 
Go to sleep, dear little Pierrot! 


Papa’s out to row. 

And when he comes—oh! 

A boat he will show. 

That he made for Pierrot! 

Go to sleep, you poor little darling. 
Go to sleep, dear little Pierrot! 


Languedoc 

If my boy sleep quietly, 

He shall see the busy bee, 
When’t has made its honey fine, 
Dancing in the bright sunshine. 


Rewards and Punishments 


303 


If my boy will slumber, 

Angels, without number. 

Will draw near, so fair and bright; 
For they only come at night. 

If my boy lie still in bed, 

God, too, will be pleased and glad. 
And will say: Fll send to him 
All night long the loveliest dream.” 

E^en the Virgin will come down. 
On her head a golden crown. 

And will talk to my dear child 
With her smile, so sweet and mild. 


Greek 

Hush, hush, my little babe! 

And thou shalt have in a trice, 
Alexandria for thy sugar. 

And Cairo for thy rice. 

The great Constantinople, 

For three long years of pleasure. 
Three Asiatic cities, 

To fill thy chest with treasure. 

Three provinces around, 

Their tribute duly bringing; 

Three mountain monasteries, 

With three tall belfries ringing. 

. English version by C. B. Sheridan. 


304 


A Book of Lullabies 

Now may’st thou take sweet sleep, my babe, now 
may’st thou go to sleep; 

The Holy Virgin and the Christ be near thee night 
and day; 

The Holy Virgin and the Christ, and great St. 
John, too, keep 

Their watch upon thy life, and take thy every 
pain away. 

ril give thee Chios—if thou sleep—with many a 
lemon-tree. 

Yea, Venice with her florins too, that thou may’st 
rule them all; 

And if thou sleep, beloved babe. I’ll give thee 
townships three, 

Three townships and three villages, yea, and three 
churches small; 

That in the villages may’st dine, and sleep in these 
thy towns, 

And to thy little churches go, to hear while mass 
be said. 

The sun doth on the mountains sleep, the par¬ 
tridge on the downs. 

The goose upon the shore, the child here in his 
cradle bed. 

Come Sleep, come rock it gently, 

Till slumb’ring sweet it lies; 

Come Sleep, great Sleep, and mighty, 
That closest children’s eyes. 

Come Sleep, come take it from me 


Rewards and Punishments 


305 


Hence to the gardens bear, 

And fill its lap with roses 
Full thirty-leaved and fair. 

O Sleep, then take it from me; 

Yet bring it back once more. 

Lest its dear father, coming. 

Should miss his baby sore. 

English version by A. N. Jannaris. 


Japanese 

Sleep, my child, sleep, my child. 

Where is thy nurse gone? 

She is gone to the mountains 
To buy thee sweetmeats. 

What shall she buy thee? 

The thundering drum, the bamboo pipe, 
The trundling man, or the paper kite. 

English version by Mrs. M. C. Ayrton. 


A LULLABY 

0 hushaby, baby! Why weepest thou? 
The diadem yet shall adorn thy brow. 
And the jewels thy sires had, long agone. 
In the regal ages of Eoghan and Conn, 
Shall all be thine. 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

My sorrow, my woe, to see thy tears. 
Pierce into my heart like spears. 


306 


A Book of Lullabies 

Ill give thee that glorious apple of gold 
The three fair goddesses sought of old, 

I’ll give thee the diamond sceptre of Pan, 

And the rod with which Moses, that holiest 
man. 

Wrought marvels divine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

I’ll give that courser, fleet on the plains. 

That courser with golden saddle and reins. 
Which Falvey rode, the mariner-lord, 

When the blood of the Danes at Cashel-na- 
Nord 

Flowed like to dark wine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

I’ll give thee the dazzling sword was worn 
By Brian on Cluan-tarava’s morn. 

And the bow of Murrough, whose shaft shot 
gleams 

That lightened as when the arrowy beams 
Of the noon-sun shine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And the hound that was wont to speed amain 
From Cashel’s rock to Bunratty’s plain. 

And the eagle from gloomy Aherlow, 

And the hawk of Skellig; all these I’ll bestow 
On thee and thy line: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 


Rewards and Punishments 307 

And the golden fleece that Jason bore 
To Hellas^ hero-peopled shore. 

And the steed that Cuchullin bought of yore 
With cloak and necklet and golden store 
And meadows and kine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And ConnaFs unpierceable shirt of mail. 

And the shield of Nish, the prince of the Gael; 
These twain for thee, my babe, shall I win. 
With the flashing spears of Achilles and Finn, 
Each high as a pine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And the swords of Diarmuid and fierce Fingal 
The slayers on heath and (alas!) in hall; 

And the charmed helmet that Oscar wore 
When he left Mac Treoin to welter in gore. 
Subdued and supine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And the jewel wherewith Queen Eofa proved 
The valor and faith of the hero she loved; 

The magic jewel that nerved his arm 
To work his enemies deadly harm 
On plain and on brine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And the wondrous cloak renowned in song. 
The enchanted cloak of the dark Dubh-long, 


308 


A Book of Lullabies 

By whose powerful aid he battled amid 
The thick of his foes, unseen and hid. 

This, too, shall be thine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

The last, not least, of thy weapons, my son, 
Shall be the glittering glaive of O’Dunn, 
The gift from iEnghus’ powerful hands. 

The hewer-down of the Fenian bands 
With edge so fine! 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And a princess, too, transcending all 
Who have held the hearts of men in thrall. 
Transcending Helen of history, 

Thy bride in thy palmier years shall be; 
Thy bride heroine: 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! • 

Even Hebe, who fills the nectar up 
For Love, in his luminous crystal cup, 

Shall pour thee out a wine in thy dreams. 
As bright as thy poet-father’s themes 
When inspired by the Nine. 

0 hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

And silken robes, and sweet soft cakes 
Shalt thou wear and eat, beyond thy mates. 
Ah, see, here comes thy mother, Moirin! 
She, too, has the soul of an Irish queen: 


Rewards and Punishments 309 

She scorns to repine! 

Then hushaby, hushaby, child of mine! 

My sorrow, my woe, to see thy tears. 

Pierce into my heart like spears. 

Owen Roe O'Sullivan. 
English version by James Clarence Mangaii. 

LULLABY 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Dad is not nigh. 

Tossed on the deep, 

Lul-lul-a-by! 

Moon shining bright, 

Dropping of dew. 

Owls hoot all night, 

To-whit! to-whoo! 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Dad is away. 

Tossed on the deep. 

Looking for day. 

In the hedge-row 
Glow-worms alight, 

Rivulets flow 

All through the night. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Dad is afar. 

Tossed on the deep. 

Watching a star. 


310 


A Book of Lullabies 

Clock going—tick, 

Tack,—in the dark. 

On the hearth—click! 

Dies the last spark. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

What! not a wink. 

Dad on the deep, 

What will he think? 

Baby dear, soon 
Daddy will come. 

Bringing red shoon 
For baby at home. 

THE BALLAD OF BABY BUNTING 

The Knight is away in the merry greenwood. 
Where he hunts the wild rabbit and roe: 

He is fleet in the chase as the late Robin Hood— 
He is fleeter in quest of the foe. 

The nurse is at home in the castle, and sings 
To the babe that she rocks at her breast: 

She is crooning of love and of manifold things. 
And is bidding the little one rest. 

‘‘ Oh slumber, my darling! Oh slumber apace! 
For thy father will shortly be here; 

And the skin of some rabbit that falls in the 
chase 

Shall be thine for a tippet, my dear.’^ 

Henry S. Leigh. 


Rewards and Punishments 


311 


CRADLE SONG 

Slumber, slumber, dearest, sweetest treasure. 
Rock’d so gently by thy mother’s hand; 

Soft repose and tranquil pleasure, 

Soothe thee with the lulling cradle band. 

Slumber, slumber, in sweet dreams reposing, 
While protects thee the fond mother’s arm. 

All her riches here enclosing, 

Holds she in her clasp so true and warm. 

Slumber, slumber on thy downy pillow, 

Love’s hymns round thee music sweet shall 
make ; 

And a lily and a rosebud shall reward thee 
When thou dost wake. 

FOLK LULLABIES 


Scotch 

Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye; 

Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye; 
The Black Douglas shall not get thee. 

German 

Sleep, baby, sleep, 

I can see two little sheep; 

One is black and one is white, 
And, if you do not sleep to-night. 
First the black and then the white 
Will give your little toes a bite. 


312 


A Book of Lullabies 
Danish 

Sleep, sleep, little mouse! 

The fields your father ploughs; 

Your mother feeds pigs in the sty. 

She’ll come and slap you, if you cry. 

Cuban 

Hush, my darling, sleep quickly, 

For there comes the black man. 

Who will eat all little children that lie awake. 
Hush, my darling, sleep quickly! 

Hush, my baby, sleep quickly! 

Chinese 

The tree leaves are murmuring hua-la-la. 

Baby’s very sleepy and wants his mama; 

Go to sleep, my baby, and then go to bed. 

And any bogie-boo that comes. I’ll knock him on 
the head. 


JENNY Wr THE AIRN TEETH ” 

What a plague is this o’ mine, 
Winna steek an e’e; 

Though I hap him o’er the heid. 

As cozy as can be. 

Sleep an’ let me to my wark— 

A’ thae claes to aim— 

Jenny wi’ the aim teeth, 

Come an’ tak’ the bairn! 


Rewards and Punishments 


313 


Tak’ him to your ain den, 

Whaur the bogie bides, 

But first put baith your big teeth 
In his wee plump sides; 

Gie your auld gray pow a shake. 
Rive him frae my grup, 

Tak’ him whaur nae kiss is gaun 
When he waukens up. 

Whatna noise is that I hear 
Coomin’ doon the street? 

W'eel I ken the dump, dump, 

O’ her beetle feet; 

Mercy me! she’s at the door! 

Hear her lift the sneck; 

Wheesht, an’ cuddle mammy noo, 
Closer roun’ the neck. 

Jenny wi’ the aim teeth. 

The bairn has aff his claes; 

Sleepin’ safe an’ soun’, I think— 
Dinna touch his taes. 

Sleepin’ bairns are no for you, 

Ye may turn aboot. 

An’ tak’ awa’ wee Tam next door— 
I hear him screichin’ oot. 

Dump, dump, awa’ she gangs 
Back the road she cam’, 

I hear her at the ither door, 
Speirin’ after Tam; 


314 


A Book of Lullabies 

He’s a crabbit, greetin’ thing— 

The warst in a’ the toon, 

Little like my ain wee wean— 

Losh, he’s sleepin’ soun’! 

Mithers hae an awfu’ wark 
Wi’ their bairns at nicht, 

Chappin’ on the chair wi’ tangs, 

To. gie the rogues a fricht; 

Aulder bairns are fleyed wi’ less, 

Weel eneuch we ken. 

Bigger bogies, bigger Jennies, 

Frichten muckle men. 

Alexander Anderson. 

WILLIE WINKIE 

Wee Willie Winkie rins through the town. 
Up-stairs and doon-stairs, in his nicht-gown, 
Tirlin’ at the window, cryin’ at the lock, 

“ Are the weans in their bed?—for it’s noo ten 
o’clock.” 

Hey, Willie Winkie! are ye cornin’ ben? 

The cat’s singin’ gay thrums to the sleepin’ hen. 
The doug’s speldered on the floor, and disna gie 
a cheep; 

But here’s a waukrife laddie, that winna fa’ 
asleep. 

Onything but sleep, ye rogue!—glowrin’ like 
the moon. 

Rattlin’ in an aim jug wi’ an aim spoon. 


Rewards and Pmiishments 


315 


Rumblin’, tumblin’ roun’ about, crawin’ like a 
cock. 

Skirlin’ like a kenna-what—wauknin’ sleepin’ 
folk! 

Hey, Willie Winkie! the wean’s in a creel! 

Waumblin’ aff a bodie’s knee like a vera eel, 

Ruggin’ at the cat’s lug, and ravellin’ a’ her 
thrums: 

Hey, Willie Winkie!—See, there he comes! 

William Miller. 

NEECE THE RAPPAREE 
( 1720 ) 

Saw ye Neece O’Hagan, 

By Moylena’s banks. 

With his matchlock in his hand, 

Foam on Rory’s banks? 

Child dear! child dear! 

’Twixt the night and day, 

Neece will come with all his men 
And carry you away. 

If you do not shut your eyes 
And sleep, mo pdistin fionn, 

If you do not keep the sighs 
Locked your lips within. 

When your cradle-song I sing. 

Hushing to and fro— 

Neece will knock at mother’s door, 

And off my Dear must go. 


316 


A Book of Lullabies 

He will take you to his cave 
Far down the glen, 

You will miss your mother’s arms 
Among the roving men. 

Whisht, whisht, a-stor mo chroidhe, 
Closer, closer, creep— 

0 Neece, go by nor stop to-night, 

For my Dear’s asleep. 

Did I catch a blink o’ blue? 

Did a whisper stir? 

Nay, ’twas but a deeper note 
In pusheen's gentle purr; 

And a little sleeping boy 
On his mother’s knee. 

Walks with angels in his dreams. 

Nor fears the Rapparee. 

Ethna Carhery, 


KENTUCKY BABE 

’Skeeters am a-hummin’ on de honeysuckle vine,— 
Sleep, Kentucky Babe! 

Sandman am a-comin’ to dis little coon of mine,— 
Sleep, Kentucky Babe! 

Silv’ry moon am shinin’ in de heabens up above. 
Bobolink am pinin’ fo’ his little lady love: 

Yo’ is mighty lucky. 

Babe of old Kentucky ,— 

Close yo* eyes in sleep. 


Rewards and Punishments 


317 


Fly away, 

Fly away, Kentucky Babe, fly away to rest. 

Fly away, 

Lay yo’ kinky, woolly head on yo’ mammy’s 
breast,— 

Um — Um — 

Close yo’ eyes in sleep. 

Daddy’s in de cane-brake wid his little dog and 
gun,— 

Sleep, Kentucky Babe! 

’Possum fo’ yo’ breakfast when yo’ sleepin’ time 
is done,— 

Sleep, Kentucky Babe! 

Bogie man’ll catch yo’ sure, unless yo’ close yo’ 
eyes. 

Waitin’ jes’ outside de doo’ to take yo’ by surprise: 
Bes' be keepin’ shady. 

Little colored lady ,— 

Close yo' eyes in sleep. 

Richard Henry Buck, 


DEY DON’ KNOW 

Dat ol’ Possum in de tree, he is waitin’ jes’ to see 
Which way dis little lamb gwine to go. 

To sleep or awake, which road he gwine take 
or Possum he don’ know, he don’ know, 
or Possum he don’ know. 


318 


A Book of Lullabies 

Daih’s Brer Rabbit in de patch, knowin’ w’en he 
lif de latch 

Which way dis little lamb gwine to go, 

To sleep or awake, which road he gwine take 
Brer Rabbit he don^ know, he don’ know. 

Brer Rabbit he don’ know. 


Jay-Bird settin’ daih in blue, he’s uh cungerin’ 
’bout it too. 

Which way dis little lamb gwine to go. 

To sleep or awake, which road he gwine take 
or Jay-Bird he don’ know, he don’ know, 
or Jay-Bird he don’ know. 


Sly ol’ Red-Fox slippin’ by, he’ll cal’late wid ha’f 
an eye 

Which way dis little lamb gwine to go, 

To sleep, or awake, which road he gwine take 
Brer Red-Fox he don’ know, he don’ know. 

Brer Red-Fox he don’ know. 


Mr. Gray Owl say’n’ Who wh-o-o ” reck’n he 
know fuh sho’ 

Jes’ w’at dis little lamb gwine to do. 

To sleep or awake, which road he gwine take 
or Gray-Owl sez Who wh-o-o? ” sez Who 
wh-o-o? ” 

or Gray Ov/1 sez Who wh-o-o? ” 


Rewards and Punishments 319 

Yo’ or Mammy, by de bald, is uh study’n^ in 
huh haid 

Which way dis little lamb gwine to go, 

To sleep or awake, which road he gwine take 
or Mammy she don’ know, she don’ know, 
or Mammy she don’ know. 

Leigh Richmond Miner, 

LITTLE ALABAMA COON 

I’s a little Alabama Coon, 

And I hasn’t been born very long; 

I ’member seein’ a great big round moon; 

I ’member bearin’ one sweet song. 

When dey tote me down to de cotton field, 
Dar I roll and I tumble in de sun ; 

While my daddy pick de cotton, mammy 
watch me grow. 

And dis am de song she sung: 

Go to sleep, my little pickaninny,— 

Brer’ Fox’ll catch you if yo’ don’t; 
Slumber on de bosom of yo’ ole Mammy 
Jinny,— 

Mammy’s gwine to swat yo’ if you won’t. 
Sh! sh! sh! 

Lu-la, lu-la, lu-la, lu4a lu! 

Underneaf de silver Southern moon; 
Rock-a-hy! hush-a-hy! 

Mammy’s little baby. 

Mammy’s little Alabama Coon. 


320 


A Book of Lullabies 

Dis hyar little Alabama Coon 

Specks to be a growed-up man some day; 
Dey’s gwine to christen me hyar very soon,— 
My name’s gwine to be Henry Clay.” 
When Ts big, I’s gwine to wed a yellow gal; 

Den we’ll hab pickaninnies ob our own; 
Den dat yellow gal shall rock ’em on her 
bosom. 

And dis am de song she’ll croon: 

Go to sleep, my little pickaninny,— 

Brer’ Fox’ll catch you if yo’ don’t; 
Slumber on de bosom of yo’ ole Mammy 
Jinny,— 

Mammy’s gwine to swat yo’ if you won’t. 
Sh! sh! sh! 

LuAa, lu-la, lu-la, lu-la lu! 

Underneaf de silver Southern moon; 
Rock-a-by! hush-a-by! 

Mammy’s little baby. 

Mammy’s little Alabama Coon. 

Hattie Starr, 


FAIRIES AND ENCHANTMENTS 


LULLABY OF THE PICT MOTHER 

Hush thee, my baby, 0! never thee cry. 
Cradled in wicker, safe nested so high. 

Never gray wolf nor green dragon come near,— 
Tree-folk in summer have nothing to fear. 

I 

Hee-o, wee- 0 , hear the wild bees humming 
See the blackcock by the burnie drummin’,— 
Wattle-weaving sit we snug and couthie,— 
Hee-o, wee- 0 , birdling in our boothie! 

Hush thee, my baby, 0! dark is the night— 
Cuddle by kiln-ring where fire burns bright. 
Trampling our turf-roof wild cattle we hear— 
Cave-folk in winter have nothing to fear. 

Kling-klang, ding-dong, hear the hammers 
clinkin’,— 

Stone pots, iron kettles, copper cups for 
drinkin’. 

Elf-shots for bowmen plough a mighty fur¬ 
row— 

Hee-o, wee- 0 , foxling in our burrow! 

Hush thee, my baby! The Beltane’s aglow. 
Making the deasil the wiseacres go. 

Brewing our heather-wine, dancing in round— 
Earth-folk are we, by her spells are we bound. 

321 




322 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hee-o, wee- 0 , hear the pipes a-croonin’, 

Like the dragon’s beetle-wings a-droonin’, 
Dyeea guard us from the Sword-man’s 
quellin’,— 

Hee-o, wee- 0 , bairnie in our dwellin’! 

Hush thee, my baby 0! hear the dogs bark. 
Herdin’ the lammies home out o’ the dark. 
Cradled and christened frae goblin’s despite. 
House-folk we hear the kirk bells through the 
night. 

Hee-o, wee- 0 ! hear the cricket chirrin’, 

Hear auld Bawthrens by the ingle purrin’,— 
Christ us keep while daddie’s gone a-huntin’! 
Hee-o, wee- 0 , bonnie Babie Buntin’! 

The winds and the waters our Father shall 
praise, 

The birds, beasts and fishes shall tell o’ His 
ways. 

By seashore and mountain, by forest and ling, 
O come all ye people, and praise ye our King! 

Louise Lamprey. 

FAIRY LULLABY 
From the Irish 

0 woman, washing by the river! 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

My woeful wail wilt pity never? 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 


Fairies and Enchantments 


323 


A year this day, I was snatched for ever, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine, 

To the green hill fort where thorn trees 
shiver, 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

Shoheen, shoheen, shoheen, shoheen, 
Sho-hu-lo, sho-hu-lo, 

Shoheen, shoheen, shoheen, shoheen, 

^Tis not thou my baby, 0! 

^Tis there the fairy court is holden, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

And there is new ale, there is olden, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

And there are combs of honey golden, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

And there lie men in bonds enfolden, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

Shoheen, etc. 

How many there, of fairest faces! 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine, 

Bright-eyed boys, with manly graces! 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

Gold-haired girls with curling tresses! 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine, 

—There, mothers nurse with sad caresses. 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

Shoheen, etc. 


324 


A Book of Lullabies 

Ah, bid my husband haste to-morrow, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine, 

A waxen taper he shall borrow, 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine, 

A black knife bring to cross my sorrow, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

And stab their first steed coming thoro’, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

Shoheen, etc. 

Say, pluck the herb where gate-thorns quiver, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

And wish a wish that God deliver, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

If he come not then—he need come never, 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine. 

For they’ll make me Fairy Queen for ever! 
Hush-a-by, babe not mine! 

Shoheen, etc. 

English version by Dr. George Sigerson. 


THE FAIRIES’ LULLABY 
From the Irish 

My mirth and merriment, soft and sweet art 
thou. 

Child of the race of Conn art thou; 

My mirth and merriment, soft and sweet art 
thou. 

Of the race of Coll and Conn art thou. 


Fairies and Enchantments 325 

My smooth green rush, my laughter sweet, 
My little plant in the rocky cleft. 

Were it not for the spell on thy tiny feet 
Thou wouldst not here be left. 

Not thou. 

Of the race of Coll and Conn art thou. 

My laughter, sweet and low art thou; 

As you crow on my knee, 

I would lift you with me. 

Were it not for the mark that is on your feet 
I would lift you away, 
and away, 
with me. 

English version by Eleanor Hull. 

THE FAIRY NURSE 
From the Irish 

Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee, 

And soft the snow-white fleece enfolds thee; 

In airy bower I’ll watch thy sleeping. 

Where branching boughs to the winds are 
sweeping. 

Shuheen sho, lulo lo! 

When mothers languish broken-hearted. 

When young wives are from husbands parted, 
Ah! little think the keeners lonely 
They weep some time-worn fairy only. 
Shuheen sho, lulo lo! 


326 


A Book of Lullabies 

Within our magic halls of brightness 
Trips many a foot of snowy whiteness; 

Stolen maidens, queens of fairy, 

And kings and chiefs a sleagh shie airy. 
Shuheen sho, lulo lo! 

Rest thee, babe! I love thee dearly, 

And as thy mortal mother nearly; 

Ours is the swiftest steed and proudest. 

That moves where the tramp of the host is 
loudest; 

Shuheen sho, lulo lo! 

Rest thee, babe! for soon thy slumbers 
Shall flee at the magic Keol-shie's numbers; 

In airy bower Idl watch thy sleeping. 

Where branchy trees to the breeze are sweeping ; 
Shuheen sho, lulo lo! 

English version by Edward Walshe, 


SLUMBER SONG 

Shoheen sho! There’s a new moon setting. 

The babe of my bosom for sleep is fretting. 

Cross the child ’gainst the power of Faery, 

In the Name of Christ, with the might of Mary. 
Shoheen sho, lu-lu4o! 

Shoheen sho! In the cradle of willow 
There’s snow-white down in the sleep-soft pillow; 


Fairies and Enchantments 327 

There^s a first lamb’s fieece wrapped about thy 
body, 

0 Babe of Beauty, 0 Fair-and-Ruddy! 

Shoheen sho, lu-lu-lo! 

Alice Furlong, 

AN ERRIS FAIRY 

Baby was lonely with mother away 
Reaping the yellow corn all the long day. 

Now the cows have come home, and the clouds 
they lie deep 

On the crags of Slievemore like wool of the sheep. 
Hush, little one; the turf burns bright. 

And the Good People bring you sweet dreams to¬ 
night. 

See, a fairy of fortune is waiting for thee: 

He sits on the hearth with a hand on each knee; 
On his thumb is a ring as varied in hue 
As sunlight entrapped in a bright drop of dew. 
He can point out the place where the dark moun¬ 
tains hold 

Their treasures of silver, of copper, and gold. 

His hair is bog-cotton, his eyes black as sloes; 
He’s a turf-sod in height from his head to his toes; 
His coat it is dyed in the fuchsia’s soft red. 

And he wears a wee cap on the top of his head. 
He has two little shoes with buckles so bright, 
And he dances by hidden streams all through the 
night. 


32S 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hush, where the bright waves laugh and moan, 
The mermaid of Erris is sitting alone ; 

She is singing a song so wild and loud 
To men buried with never a candle or shroud. 
Hush, little one, if you hear that sound. 

The ocean will be thy burying-ground. 

Hal D'Arcy, 


LULLABY FOR TITANIA 

From '' A Midsummer-NighVs Dream ” 

You spotted snakes with double tongue. 
Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; 

Newts and blind-worms, do no wrong; 
Come not near our fairy queen. 

Philomel, with melody. 

Sing in our sweet lullaby; 

Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby! 
Never harm. 

Nor spell, nor charm. 

Come our lovely lady nigh; 

So, good-night, with lullaby. 

Weaving spiders, come not here; 

Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence! 
Beetles black, approach not near; 

Worm nor snail, do no offence. 

Philomel, with melody, 

Sing in our sweet lullaby; 


Fairies and Enchantments 329 

Lulla, lulla, lullaby; lulla, lulla, lullaby! 
Never harm, 

Nor spell, nor charm, 

Come our lovely lady nigh; 

So, good-night, with lullaby. 

William Shakespeare. 

« 

PEAK AND PUKE 

From his cradle in the glamourie 
They have stolen my wee brother. 

Housed a changeling in his swaddlings 
For to fret mine own poor mother. 

Pules it in the candle light 
WT a cheek so lean and white, 

Chinkling up its eyne so wee 
Wailing shrill at her an^ me. 

It wedl neither rock nor tend 
Till the Silent Silent send, 

Lapping in their waesome arms 
Him they stole with spells and charms. 
Till they take this changeling creature 
Back to its own fairy nature— 

Cry! Cry! as long as may be, 

Ye shall ne^er be woman^s baby! 

Walter De la Mare. 

CRADLE-SONG 
From the Russian 

Lullaby, my pretty baby, 

Close thine eyes so bright, 

While the moon pours o’er thy cradle 
All her silv’ry light; 



330 


A Book of Lullabies 

I will tell thee tales of fairies, 

Lull thee with a song, 

While the moon, heaven’s lonely wand’rer 
Creeps the sky along. 

LULLABY 

In this hush of night 
Who can fright thee? 

(Blossom, blossom, nestle close!) 

Lo, the fireflies light thee 
With swift golden light; 

Each is spurred by fairy knight: 

They would lure thee, with those gleams. 
To strange dreams. 

(Blossom, nestle close!) 

But these arms shall fold— 

Guard and fold thee. 

(Blossom, blossom, nestle close!) 

Though the fairies scold me, 

Though they bribe with gold. 

Still these arms shall hold, shall hold; 

And a faithful haven keep 
For sweet sleep. 

(Blossom, nestle close!) 

Henry D. Muir, 

THE STARS’ SONG 

Now the starry day is ended 
Sleepy songs arise. 

Songs that dream of broke things mended. 
And dry the children’s eyes. 


Fairies and Enchantments 


831 


Play and work in night are sleeping 
Till dreams away have flown; 

Girls and boys to lands go creeping 
Where the songs are grown. 

Boys and girls! the stars keep singing, 
Singing while you sleep 1 
Though bells in belfries cease their ringing, 
And bells on woolly sheep. 

When the stars again come shining 
Each with radiant crown, 

Work and play their hands entwining 
Fill all the fairy town. 

Greville MacDonald, 

LULLABY FOR A BABY FAIRY 

Night is over; through the clover globes of crystal 
shine; 

Birds are calling; sunlight falling on the wet green 
vine. 

Little wings must folded lie, little lips be still 
While the sun is in the sky, over Fairy Hill. 
Sleep, sleep, sleep. 

Baby with buttercup hair. 

Golden rays 
Into the violet creep. 

Dream, dream deep; 

Dream of the night-revels fair. 

Daylight stays; 

Sleep, little fairy child, sleep. 


332 


A Book of Lullabies 

Rest in daytime; night is playtime, all good fairies 
know. 

Under sighing grasses lying, off to slumber go. 
Night will come with stars agleam, lilies in her 
hand, 

Calling you from Hills of Dream back to Fairy¬ 
land. 

Sleep, sleep, sleep. 

Baby with buttercup hair. 

Golden rays 
Into the violet creep. 

Dream, dream deep; 

Dream of the night-revels fair. 

Daylight stays; 

Sleep, little fairy child, sleep. 

Joyce Kilmer, 

CECIL 

Ye little elves, who haunt sweet dells. 
Where flowers with the dew commune, 

I pray you hush the child, Cecil, 

With windlike song. 

0 little elves, so white she lieth. 

Each eyelid gentler than the flowV 
Of the bramble, and her fleecy hair 
Like smoke of gold. 

0 little elves, her hands and feet 
The angels muse upon, and God 
Hath shut a glimpse of Paradise 
In each blue eye. 



From a Copley Print. 

Copyright by Curtis & Cameron, Boston, Mass. 


MOTHER AND CHILD. 


Froin Painting hy J. W. Alexander, 





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Fairies a7id Enchantments 833 

0 little elves, her tiny body 
Like a white flake of snow it is, 

Drooping upon the pale green hood 
Of the chill snowdrop. 

0 little elves, with elderflower. 

And pimpernel, and the white hawthorn. 
Sprinkle the journey of her dreams: 

And, little elves. 

Call to her magically sweet. 

Lest of her very tenderness 
She do forsake this rough brown earth 
And return to us no more. 

Walter De la Mare. 


SLUMBER SONG 

{The White Elf Mother sings) 

When the low flying wind, awake. 

Brushes the lilies, and the low 
Blue flowers hidden in the brake,— 

When the sighing Alders bend and shake,— 

When the owl’s whirring,—Hush thee, dear! 
For all the elfin lights aglow 
Will guide the slumber fairies here. 

Naught is stirring 
For my child to fear. 


334 


A Book of Lullabies 

* 

When the strange sighing tree-tops sing, 
Dance all the fairies to and fro 
And white dreams from their mantles fling, 
While the flying 
Winds thy cradle swing. 

When the low crooning insects cry . 

Creep the white elves soft, and slow. 

Hush thee. Sweet! and hear the merry 
Pipes a-tuning 
For thy lullaby! 

Marie Van Vorst, 


NORMAN CRADLE-SONG 

When the moon is afloat. 

And the ocean at rest. 

The sea-elf goes forth 
To the town he loves best: 

Up from his cave, over the wave, 

With joy in his breast. 

Singing: Sleep, little baby. 

And dream on the sea. 
That lulls round thy cradle. 
And murmurs to thee. 

The stars are a-shine. 

And the waves are at play— 

Rushing in to the shore 
From the wind-stricken bay; 


Fairies and Enchantments 


335 


And the sea-elf is there, with the brine in 
his hair, 

As merry as they. 

Singing: The soft fleecy moon 

Is laughing with glee, 

And soothing, my baby, 

A dream-song to thee. 

The sea-elf goes roving 

When the moon waxes bright, 

And plays in the churchyard 
Till fadeth the light: 

His morrice he paces, then deftly retraces 
His steps through the night. 

Singing: Alack, it is gone! 

The silvery moon, 

With its great holy face 
It waneth too soon: 

Ere it passes, my baby, 

A hymn it will croon, 

Of the splendor of God 
And the Heavenly moon. 

Vincent O'Sullivan. 

LULLY, LULLEY 

Lully, lulley; lully, lulley! 

The falcon hath borne my mate away! 

He bare him up, he bare him down, 

He bare him into an orchard brown. 


336 


A Book of Lullabies 

In that orchard there was a hall 
That was hanged with purple and pall. 

And in that hall there was a bed, 

It was hanged with gold so red. 

And in that bed there lieth a knight, 

His wounds bleeding day and night. 

By that bedside kneeleth a may, 

And she weepeth both night and day. 

And by that bedside there standeth a stone 
Corpus Christi written thereon. 

Lully, lulley; lully, lulley! 


SORROW AND WOE 


FOLK LULLABIES 
English 

Bye 0 my baby, 

When I was a lady, 

O then my poor baby didn^t cry; 

But my baby is weeping 
For want of good keeping. 

Oh, I fear my poor baby will die. 

I 

Shee said: Lullabye, mine owne deere 
child! 

Lullabye, deere child, deere! 

I wold thy father were a king. 

Thy mother layd on a beere! 

Dutch 

0 hush thee, my child. 

Thy mother bends o’er thee. 

And clasps her dear son. 

For she is forsaken and alone. 

y 

Highland Scotch 

0 can ye sew cushions and can ye sew sheets. 
And can ye sing bal-la-loo when the bairnie 
greets? 

And hie and baw birdie, and hie and baw lamb. 
And hie and baw birdie, my bonnie wee lamb. 

337 



338 


A Book of Lullabies 

Heigh O! Heugh 0! what’ll I do wi’ ye? 

Black’s the life that I lead wi’ ye; 

Mony o’ ye, little to gie ye, 

Heigh 0! Heugh 0! what’ll I do wi’ ye? 

Now hush-a-baw, lammie, and hush-a-baw, dear. 
Now hush-a-baw, lammie, thy minnie is here. 
The wild wind is ravin’, thy minnie’s heart’s sair. 
The wild wind is ravin’, but ye dinna care. 

Sing bal-la-loo, lammie, sing bal-la-loo, dear, 
Does wee lammie ken that its daddie’s no’ here? 
Ye’re rockin’ fu’ sweetly on mammie’s warm knee. 
But daddie’s a-rockin’ upon the saut sea. 


THE SONG OF EVE TO CAIN 

Oh! rest, my baby, rest! 

The day 

Is glowing down the west; 

Now tired of sunny play 
Upon thy mother’s breast 
Oh! rest, my darling, rest! 

Thou first-born child of man, 
In thee 

New joy for us began, 

Which seem’d all dead to be. 
When that so needful ban 
From Eden exiled man. 


Sorrow and Woe 


339 


But more than Paradise 
Was ours, 

When thou with angel eyes, 

Amid our blighted flowers 
Wast born, a heavenly prize 
Unknown in Paradise. 

My happy garden, thou. 

Where I 

Make many a hopeful vow. 

And every hour espy 
New bloom on each young bough; 
My sinless tree art thou. 

I fearless reap thy fruit 
Of bliss; 

And I who am thy root. 

Am to the air to kiss 
The gleams that o’er thee shoot; 
And fed, I feed thy fruit. 

Thy father’s form and pride 
And thought, 

In thee yet undescried. 

Shall soon be fully wrought. 
Grow tall, and bright, and wide. 
In thee our hope and pride. 

Nay, do not stir, my child. 

Be still; 

In thee is reconciled 
To man heaven’s righteous will. 


340 


A Book of Lullabies 

To thee the curse is mild, 

And smites not thee, my child. 

To us our sin has borne 
Its doom. 

From light dethroned and torn, 
’Twas ours to dwell in gloom; 
But thou, a better morn, 

By that dark night art borne. 

Thou shalt, my child, be free 
From sin, 

Nor taste the fatal tree. 

For thou from us shalt win 
A wisdom cheap to thee; 

So thou from ill be free! 

My bird, my flower, my star. 
My boy! 

My all things fair that are. 

My spring of endless joy. 
From thee is heaven not far. 
From thee, its earthly star. 

So, darling, shalt thou grow 
A man. 

While we shall downward go. 
Descend each day a span. 

And sink beneath the wo 
Of deaths from sin that grow. 


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341 


And thou, perhaps, shalt see 
A race 

Brought forth by us, like thee; 

Though strength like thine, and grace, 
In none shall ever be 
Of all whom earth can see. 

And thou amid mankind 
Shalt move 

With glorious form and mind. 

In holiness and love; 

And all in thee shall find 
The bliss of all mankind. 

Then rest, my child, oh rest! 

The day 

Has darken’d down the west. 

Thou dream the night away 
Upon thy mother’s breast; 

Oh! rest, my darling, rest! 

John Sterling, 

EVE’S CRADLE-SONG 

Sleep, sleep, little Cain! 

Thy father is delving with labor and pain. 
He works for our needs. 

But the thistles and weeds 
Grow thick o’er the dry, burning plain. 

Yet, why should I grieve? 

Thy fond mother Eve 
Will never—never complain. 

While she rocks little Cain— 

Little Cain! 


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A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, sleep, little Cain! 

Thy sleep may be deep, is thy mother^s re¬ 
frain ; 

In her dreams oft she sees 
^Mong the flowers and trees 
A garden, where she walks once again. 

But no more shall she eat 
Of those fruits, rare and sweet. 

Yet she’ll never—never complain. 

While she rocks little Cain— 

Little Cain! 

Walter Satterlee, 

THE LAMENTATION OF DANAE 

When, in the carven chest. 

The winds that blew and waves in wild unrest 
Smote her with fear, she, not with cheeks unwet, 
Her arms of love round Perseus set. 

And said: 0 child, what grief is mine! 

But thou dost slumber, and thy baby breast 
Is sunk in rest. 

Here in the cheerless brass-bound bark. 

Tossed amid starless night and pitchy dark. 

Nor dost thou heed the scudding brine 
Of waves that wash above thy curls so deep, 
Nor the shrill winds that sweep,— 

Lapped in thy purple robe’s embrace, 

Fair little face! 

But if this dread were dreadful too to thee, 
Then wouldst thou lend thy listening ear to me; 


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343 


Therefore I cry,—Sleep babe, and sea be still. 
And slumber our unmeasured ill! 

Oh, may some change of fate, sire Zeus, from 
thee 

Descend, our woes to end! 

But if this prayer, too overbold, offend 
Thy justice, yet be merciful to me! 

Simonides. 

English version by John Addington Symonds. 


THE LULLABY OF DANAE 

Little one, thy mothers weeping; 
Thou with fresh and holy heart 
Slumbering on the ocean art;— 
While I sorrow, thou art sleeping. 
Though the pallor and the gloom 
Our forlorn, frail bark entomb. 

Rest thee, rest thee, little one! 

Ah! thou needest not a pillow 
With those tresses thick and fair! 
Ah! thou heedest not a billow 
Moistening thy tangled hair. 

Nor the voices of the storm. 

But in thy purple mantlet liest warm. 
My beautiful, my own! 

Rest thee, rest thee, pretty one! 

Yet if pain were pain to thee, 

If thou knewest how to fear, 

And didst lend thy little ear. 


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A Book of Lullabies 

I would say again to thee: 

Rest thee, rest thee, darling one! 

I would bid thee baby, sleep; 

And be thou hushed, 0 restless deep! 
Thou, too, my boundless sorrow! 

Father, let some fairer morrow 
Change for us thy sovran will. 

Bring us good beyond this ill! 

When I make too bold a prayer, 

Thy vengeance on the babe forbear, 

Let my head receive it still! 

Rest thee, rest thee, little one! 

Edmund C, Stedman, 


DANAE’S LULLABY 

Child, my child, how sound you sleep! 
Though your mother’s care is deep. 
You-can lie with heart at rest 
In the narrow brass-bound chest; 

In the starless night and drear 
You can sleep, and never hear 
Billows breaking, and the cry 
Of the night wind wandering by; 

In soft purple mantle sleeping 
With your little face bn mine. 
Hearing not your mother weeping 
And the breaking of the brine. 

Andrew Lang. 


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345 


DANAE’S CRADLE-SONG 

0 hush thee, my child! thy mother bends o’er thee, 
And clasps to her heart her own, dear son. 

She, a proud king’s daughter, Zeus’ own beloved. 
Calls now for aid, forsaken, alone. 

This wave-toss’d chest is, alas! thy cradle. 

And a wild, weird lullaby chant the gales; 

But, tho’ all the gods pursue and hate thee. 

Thy mother is with thee; her love ne’er fails. 

Oh, hush thee, my child! ah! Zeus will hearken, 
And guide us safe o’er this pitiless main ; 

And on other shores, by him protected, 

’Mid grass and flow’rs thou wilt play again. 

LULLABY 

Hush thee, sweet baby. 

Hush thee to sleep! 

Dark though thy way be 
Over the deep. 

Jove is not wearied 
Watching the waves; 

Neptune and Nereid, 

All are his slaves. 

Neptune is swinging 
Thee on his breast; 

Nereids are singing 
Thee to thy rest. 


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A Book of Lullabies 

Lights without number 
Shine in the skies; 

Night in thy slumber 
Veileth thine eyes. 

Morning will meet thee 
Safe on the shore; 

Princes shall greet thee: 

** Wander no more! ” 

Hush thee, sweet baby, 

Hush thee to sleep! 

Dark though thy way be 
Over the deep! 

Thomas Davidson, 


A CRADLE SONG 

The Danaan children laugh, in cradles of wrought 
gold, 

And clap their hands together, and half close 
their eyes. 

For they will ride the North when the ger-eagle 
flies. 

With heavy whitening wings, and a heart fallen 
cold: 

I kiss my wailing child and press it to my breast. 

And hear the narrow graves calling my child and 
me. 

Desolate winds that cry over the wandering sea; 

Desolate winds that hover in the flaming West; 


Sorrow and Woe 347 

Desolate winds that beat the doors of Heaven, 
and beat 

The doors of Hell and blow there many a whim¬ 
pering ghost ; 

O heart the winds have shaken; the unappeasable 
host 

Is comelier than candles at Mother Mary’s feet. 

William B. Yeats. 

BALOOLOO, MY LAMMIE 

Balooloo, my lammie, balooloo, my dear; 

Now balooloo, lammie, ain minnie is here. 

What ails my wee bairnie, what ails it this nicht? 
What ails my wee bairnie—is bairnie no richt? 

Balooloo, my lammie, now baloo, my dear; 

Does wee lammie ken that its daddie’s no here? 
Ye’re rockin’ fu’ sweetly on mammie’s warm knee. 
But daddie’s a-rockin’ upon the saut sea. 

Now hushaba, lammie, now hushaba, dear; 

Now hushaby, lammie, ain minnie is here; 

The wild wind is ravin’ and mammie’s heart’s sair, 
The wild wind is ravin’ and ye dinna care. 

Sing baloo, my lammie, sing baloo, my dear; 

Sing baloo, my lammie, ain minnie is here; 

My wee bairnie’s dozin’, it’s dozin’ now fine. 

And oh! may its waukin’ be blyther than mine! 

Carolina, Lady Nairne. 


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A Book of Lullabies 


A SWEET LULLABY 

Come little babe, come silly soul, 

Thy father’s shame, thy mother’s grief. 
Born as I doubt to all our dole. 

And to thyself unhappy chief: 

Sing lullaby, and lap it warm. 

Poor soul that thinks no creature harm. 


Thou little think’st and less dost know. 

The cause of this thy mother’s moan; 

Thou want’st the wit to wail her woe. 

And I myself am all alone: 

Why dost thou weep? why dost thou wail? 
And know’st not yet what thou dost ail. 


Come, little wretch—ah, silly heart! 

Mine only joy, what can I more? 

If there be any wrong thy smart. 

That may the destinies implore: 

_ • 

’Twas I, I say, against my will, 

I wail the time, but be thou still. 


And dost thou smile? O, thy sweet face! 
Would God Himself He might thee see!— 
No doubt thou would’st soon purchase grace, 
I know right well, for thee and me: 

But come to mother, babe, and play. 

For father false is fled away. 


Sorrow mid Woe 


349 


Sweet boy, if it by fortune chance, 

Thy father home again to send, 

If death do strike me with his lance, 

Yet mayst thou me to him commend: 

If any ask thy mother’s name. 

Tell how by love she purchased blame. 


Then will his gentle heart soon yield: 
I know him of a noble mind: 
Although a lion in the field, 

A lamb in town thou shalt him find: 
Ask blessing, babe, be not afraid, 
His sugar’d words hath me betray’d. 


Then mayst thou joy and be right glad; 
Although in woe I seem to moan, 

Thy father is no rascal lad, 

A noble youth of blood and bone: 

His glancing looks, if he once smile, 
Right honest women may beguile. 


Come, little boy, and rock asleep; 

Sing lullaby and be thou still; 

I, that can do naught else but weep. 

Will sit by thee and wail my fill: 

God bless my babe, and lullaby 
From this thy father’s quality. 

Nicholas Breton. 


350 A Book of Lullabies 

LADY ANNE BOTHWELL’S LAMENT 

Balow, my babe, lie still and sleep! 

It grieves me sore to see thee weep. 
Wouldst thou be quiet I’se be glad, 

Thy mourning makes my sorrow sad: 
Balow, my boy, thy mother’s joy. 

Thy father breeds me great annoy— 

Balow, la-low! 

When he began to court my love, 

And with his sugred words me move, 

His faynings false and flattering cheer 
To me that time did not appear: 

But now I see most cruellye 
He cares ne for my babe nor me— 

Balow, la-low! 

Lie still, my darling, sleep a while. 

And when thou wak’st thou’ll sweetly 
smile: 

But smile not as thy father did, 

To cozen maids: nay, God forbid! 

But yet I fear thou wilt go near 
Thy father’s heart and face to bear— 
Balow, la-low! 

I cannot choose but ever will 
Be loving to thy father still; 

Where’er he go, where’er he ride, 

My love with him doth still abide: 


Sorrow and Woe 


351 


In weal or woe, where’er he go, 

My heart shall ne’er depart him fro— 
Balow, la-low! 

But do not, do not, pretty mine. 

To faynings false thy heart incline! 

Be loyal to thy lover true. 

And never change her for a new: 

If good or fair, of her have care 
For women’s banning’s wondrous sare— 
Balow, la-low! 

Bairn, by thy face I will beware; 

Like Sirens’ words, I’ll come not near; 

My babe and I together will live; 

He’ll comfort me when cares do grieve. 

My babe and I right soft will lie, 

And ne’er respect man’s crueltye— 

Balow, la-low! 

Farewell, farewell, the falsest youth 
That ever kist a woman’s mouth! 

I wish all maids be warn’d by me 
Never to trust man’s curtesye; 

For if we do but chance to bow, 

They’ll use us then they care not how— 
Balow, la-low! 

LITTLE ONE WEARY 

Crying, my little one, footsore and weary? 

Fall asleep, pretty one, warm on my shoulder; 
I must tramp on through the winter night dreary. 
While the snow falls on me colder and colder. 



352 


A Book of Lullabies 


You are my one, and I have not another; 

Sleep soft, my darling, my trouble and treasure; 
Sleep warm and soft in the arms of your mother, 
Dreaming of pretty things, dreaming of pleas¬ 
ure. 


Christina G. Rossetti. 


SEPHESTIA’S SONG TO HER CHILD 
From Menaphon ” 

Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; 
When thou art old there’s grief enough for thee. 
Mother’s wag, pretty boy. 

Father’s sorrow, father’s joy; 

When thy father first did see 
Such a boy by him and me. 

He was glad, I was woe; 

Fortune changed made him so. 

When he left his pretty boy. 

Last his sorrow, first his joy. 

Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; 
When thou art old there’s grief enough for thee. 
Streaming tears that never stint. 

Like pearl-drops from a flint. 

Fell by course from his eyes. 

That one another’s place supplies; 

Thus he grieved in every part, 

Tears of blood fell from his heart. 

When he left his pretty boy. 

Father’s sorrow, father’s joy. 


Sorrow and Woe 


853 


Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; 
When thou art old there’s grief enough for thee. 
The wanton smiled, father wept. 

Mother cried, baby leapt; 

More he crowed, more we cried. 

Nature could not sorrow hide; 

He must go, he must kiss 
Child and mother, baby bliss. 

For he left his pretty boy. 

Father’s sorrow, father’s joy. 

Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee; 
When thou art old there’s grief enough for thee. 

Robert Greene, 


0 SLEEP, MY BABE 

O sleep, my babe, hear not the rippling wave. 
Nor feel the breeze that round thee ling’ring 
strays 

To drink thy balmy breath. 

And sigh one long farewell. 

Soon shall it mourn above thy wat’ry bed, 

And whisper to me, on the wave-beat shore. 
Deep murm’ring in reproach. 

Thy sad untimely fate. 

Ere those dear eyes had open’d to the light. 

In vain to plead, thy coming life was sold, 

O waken’d but to sleep. 

Whence it can wake no more! 


354 


A Book of Lullabies 

A thousand and a thousand silken leaves 
The tufted beech unfolds in early spring, 

All clad in tenderest green, 

All of the selfsame shape; 

A thousand infant faces, soft and sweet, 

Each year sends forth, yet every mother views 
Her last not least beloved 
Like its dear self alone. 

No musing mind hath ever yet foreshaped 
The face to-morrow’s sun shall first reveal, 

No hearth hath e’er conceived 
What love that face will bring. 

0 sleep, my babe, nor heed how mourns the gale 
To part with thy soft locks and fragrant breath. 
As when it deeply sighs 
O’er autumn’s latest bloom. 

Sara Coleridge, 


A LULLABY 

O saftly sleep, my bonnie bairn! 

Rock’d on this breast of mine; 

The heart that beats sae sair within 
Will not awaken thine. 

Lie still, lie still, ye canker’d thoughts! 

That such late watches keep; 

An’ if ye break the mother’s heart. 

Yet let the baby sleep. 


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355 


Sleep on, sleep on, my ae, ae baim! 

Nor look sae wae on me. 

As if ye felt the bitter tear 
That blin’s thy mother’s e’e. 

Dry up, dry up, ye saut, saut tears. 

Lest on my bairn ye dreep; 

An’ break in silence, waefu’ heart, 

An’ let my baby sleep. 

Alexander A. Ritchie, 


CRADLE SONG OF AMY 
From Balder ” 

The years they come, and the years they gO' 

Like winds that blow from sea to sea; 

From dark to dark they come and go, 

All in the dew-fall and the rain. 

Down by the stream there be two sweet willows, 
—Hush thee, babe, while the wild winds blow,— 
One hale, one blighted, two wedded willows 
All in the dew-fall and the rain. 

She is blighted, the fair young willow, 

—Hush thee, babe, while the wild winds blow,— 
She hears the spring-blood beat in the bark; 
She hears the spring-leaf bud on the bough; 
But she bends blighted, the wan weeping willow, 
All in the dew-fall and the rain. 


356 


A Book of Lullabies 

The stream runs sparkling under the willow, 

—Hush thee, babe, while the wild winds blow,— 
The summer rose-leaves drop in the stream; 
The winter oak-leaves drop in the stream; 

But she bends blighted, the wan weeping willow. 
All in the dew-fall and the rain. 


Sometimes the wind lifts the bright stream to 
her, 

—Hush thee, babe, while the wild winds blow,— 

The false stream sinks, and her tears fall faster; 

Because she touched it her tears fall faster; 

Over the stream her tears fall faster. 

All in the sunshine or the rain. 

The years they come, and the years they go; 

Sing well-away, sing well-away! 

And under mine eyes shines the bright life- 
river ; 

Sing well-away, sing well-away! 

Sweet sounds the spring in the hale green 
willow. 

The goodly green willow, the green waving 
willow. 

Sweet in the willow, the wind-whispering 
willow; 

Sing well-away, sing well-away! 

But I bend blighted, the wan weeping willow. 

All in the sun, and the dew, and the rain. 

Sydney Dobell. 


Sorrow and Woe 


357 


LULLABY FOR A MAN-CHILD 

The mountains waver through my tears, 
Hush, my son— 

The trees are bending at the knees 
Like women broken by the years. 

But you, my child, need have no fears; 
Only for Woman, love has spears. 

Sleep, my son. 

So cuddle closer to my heart. 

Dream, my son— 

^Tis strange to think that you find peace 
Here, where all stormy passions start. 

But you need fear no ache or smart— 

The pain is always woman’s part. 

Sleep, my son. 

Jean Starr Untermeyer, 


THE CRADLE-SONG OF THE POOR 

Hush! I cannot bear to see thee 
Stretch thy tiny hands in vain; 

Dear, I have no bread to give thee. 
Nothing, child, to ease thy pain! 
When God sent thee first to bless me. 
Proud and thankful, too, was I! 

Now, my darling, I, thy mother, 
Almost long to see thee die. 

Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; 
God is good, but life is dreary. 


358 


A Book of Lullabies 

I have watched thy beauty fading, 

And thy strength sink day by day; 

Soon, I know, will Want and Fever 
Take thy little life away. 

Famine makes thy father reckless, 

Hope has left both him and me; 

We could suffer all, my baby. 

Had we but a crust for thee. 

Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; 

God is good, but life is dreary. 

Better thou shouldst perish early. 

Starve so soon, my darling one. 

Than in helpless sin and sorrow 
Vainly live, as I have done. 

Better that thy angel spirit 

With my joy, my peace, were flown. 

Than thy heart grow cold and careless. 
Reckless, hopeless, like my own. 

Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; 

God is good, but life is dreary. 

I am wasted, dear, with hunger. 

And my brain is all opprest, 

I have scarcely strength to press thee, 
Wan and feeble, to my breast. 

Patience, baby, God will help us. 

Death will come to thee and me. 

He will take us to His Heaven, 

Where no want or pain can be. 

Sleep, my darling, thou art weary; 

God is good, but life is dreary. 


Sorrow and Woe 


359 


Such the plaint that, late and early, 

Did we listen, we might hear 
Close beside us—but the thunder 

Of a city dulls our ear. 

Every heart, as God’s bright Angel, 

Can bid one such sorrow cease; 

God has glory when His children 

Bring His poor ones joy and peace! 
Listen, nearer, while she sings, 

Sounds the fluttering of wings! 

Adelaide A, Procter. 

A GHETTO CRADLE-SONG 

Sleep, my boy, the night is treading 
On its tiptoes still: 

Gold the twinkling stars are shedding 
Over vale and hill. 

Golden stars the sky be jewel. 

And they spark and glow; 

Sleep before you know how cruel 
• Is our life below. 

Sleep, my boy, the moon is swimming 
In a silver stream; 

Dozing lakes with crystal brimming 
Dream a golden dream. 

Gold and silver we may borrow 
From the skies overhead; 

Care awakens with the marrow. 

Care for daily bread. 


360 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, my boy, the birds are trilling 
From each tree and nest; 

“ Night is sacred, night is filling 
Wood and vale with rest/^ 

Leaf and blade by breezes shaken 
Softly whisper bliss; 

Sleep, my boy, before you waken 
Calm on earth to miss. 

Sleep, my boy, and dream of heaven. 
Dream of joy and mirth; 

Heaven’s dreams to us are given 
To forget the earth. 

Sleep, my boy, for clouds may gather 
Heaven’s charm to mar; 

Up in heaven is your father 
Shining as a star. 

Sleep, my boy, the angels mind you 
In your tiny bed; 

Earth is wide, but who will find you 
Room to rest your head? 

Sleep, the night is softly treading. 
Kindling lakes and streams; 

Gold the twinkling stars are shedding. 
Gold—in dreams, in dreams. 

Philip M, Raskin, 


Sorrow and Woe 


361 


THE LULLABY OF A FEMALE CONVICT TO 
HER CHILD, THE NIGHT PREVIOUS 
TO EXECUTION 

Sleep, baby mine, enkerchieft on my bosom, 

Thy cries they pierce again my bleeding breast; 
Sleep, baby mine, not long thou’lt have a mother 
To lull thee fondly in her arms to rest. 

Baby, why dost thou keep this sad complaining? 

Long from mine eyes have kindly slumbers fled; 
Hush, hush, my babe, the night is quickly waning. 
And I would fain compose my aching head. 

Poor wayward wretch! and who will heed thy 
weeping, 

When soon an outcast on the world thou’lt be? 
Who then will soothe thee, when thy mother’s 
sleeping 

In her low grave of shame and infamy? 

Sleep, baby mine—to-morrow I must leave thee, 
And I would snatch an interval of rest: 

Sleep these last moments ere the laws bereave 
thee, 

For never more thou’lt press a mother’s breast. 

Henry Kirke White. 

SONG OF THE INDIAN MOTHER 

Gently dream, my darling child. 

Sleeping in the lonely wild; 

Would thy dreams might never know 
Clouds that darken mine with woe; 


362 


A Book of Lullabies 

Oh! to smile as thou art smiling, 
All my hopeless hours beguiling 
With the hope that thou mightst see 
Blessings that are hid from me. 

Lullaby, my gentle boy, 

Sleeping in the wilderness, 
Dreaming in thy childish joy 
Of a mother’s fond caress— 
Lullaby, lullaby! 


Sleep, while gleams the council fire, 
Kindled by thy hunted sire; 

Guarded by thy God above. 

Sleep and dream of peace and love; 
Dream not of the band that perished 
From the sacred soil they cherished. 
Nor the ruthless race that roams 
O’er our ancient shrines and homes. 
Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc. 

Sleep, while autumn glories fly, 
’Neath the melancholy sky. 

From the trees before the storm. 
Chased by winter’s tyrant form; 

Oh! ’tis thus, our warriors, wasted. 
From their altars torn and blasted. 
Followed by the storm of death. 

Fly before Oppression’s breath. 
Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc. 


Sorrow and Woe 


363 


Sleep, while night hides home and grave, 
Rest, while mourn the suffering brave. 
Mourning as thou, too, wilt mourn. 
Through the future, wild and worn ; 

Bruised in heart, in spirit shaken. 

Scourged by man, by God forsaken. 
Wandering on in war and strife. 

Living still, yet cursing life. 

Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc. 

Could thy tender fancy feel 
All thy manhood will reveal, 

Couldst thou dream thy breast would share 
All the ills thy fathers bear. 

Thou wouldst weep as I am weeping, 
Tearful watches wildly keeping, 

By the silver-beaming light, 

Of the long and lonely night. 

Lullaby, my gentle boy, etc. 

James Gowdy Clark. 


HUSHABY 

All the lands are filled with soldiers. 
Only one is safe and nigh; 

Go to sleep, my little baby. 

Ere the bolts of battle fly 
And destroy the magic country 
Where the Sand Man^s beaches lie. 
Hushaby! 


364 


A Book of Lullabies 

All the clouds are filled with fighting, 
Only one is safe to try; 

Go to sleep, my little baby. 

Ere the navies of the sky 

Shall destroy the sunset towers 
Crowning Sleepytown on high, 
Hushaby! 

All the seas are red with conquest, 
Only one no foe may spy; 

Go to sleep, my little baby. 

Ere the warships grim reply 

And awake the drowsy waters 

Where the slumber sea makes sigh, 
Hushaby! 

McLandburgh Wilson, 


CRADLE SONG OF A SOLDIER’S WIFE 

Baby, sleep! shadows creep 
Down the hillsides dark and long. 
Slumber softly and thy dreaming 
May perchance have brighter seeming. 
For thy mother’s cradle-song! 

Baby, sleep! low I weep. 

Lest I wake thee in my woe! 

Where the campfires gleam and quiver. 
Far away beside the river. 

Father thinks of thee, I know. 


Sorrow and Woe 


365 


Baby, sleep! angels keep 
Holy vigils o’er thy head! 

And thy mother’s life seems sweeter, 
Griefs grow dim and joys completer, 
Singing by thy cradle-bed! 

T, T. Barker, 


THE LITTLE DREAMERS 

Sleep, li’l chillun—daddy gone ter fight. 

But mammy’s dar, a-watchin’—watchin’ thoo’ de 
night. 

Col’ win’ a-creepin’ whar de shadders stay, 

Done blowed de stars out, an’ can’t fin’ his way! 
Singin’ you ter sleep, 

Sweetes’ watch ter keep. 

Mammy is a-singin’— 

Singin’ you ter sleep. 

Fightin’ time fer daddy what love you good and 
true, 

Watch time fer mammy, an’ dream time fer you! * 
Li’l stars ter sleep, too, till come de shiny beam 
An’ Sweetes’ Mammy ” singin’—singin’ in yo’ 
dream! 

Singin’ in yo’ dream , 

Till de shiny beam 
Wake you fum dreamin’— 

Singin’ in yo’ dream. 



366 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, li’l chillun, gone ter happy Ian’— 

Li’l sister sweetheart, an’ li’l sojer man! 

War time’s yo’ playtime all de shiny day. 

Den dream de war away, chillun—dream de war 
away! 

Dream de war away 

Till Mawnin’ wake de Day; 

Dream de war away, chillun— 
Dream de war away! 

Frank L. Stanton. 


A LULLABY 

Because some men in khaki coats 
Are marching out to war. 

Beneath a torn old flag that floats 
As proudly as before; 

Because they will not stop or stay. 

But march with eager tread, 

A little baby far away 
Sleeps safely in her bed. 

Because some grim, gray sentinels 
Stand always silently, 

Where each dull shadow falls and swells, 
Upon a restless sea; 

Because their lonely watch they keep. 
With keen and wakeful eyes, 

A little child may safely sleep 
Until the sun shall rise. 


Sorrow and Woe 


367 


Because some swift and shadowy things 
Hold patient guard on high, 

Like birds or sails or shielding wings 
Against a stormy sky ; 

Because a strange light spreads and sweeps 
Across a darkened way, 

A little baby softly sleeps 
Until the dawn of day. 

G. R, Glasgow, 


BY THE ALMA RIVER 

Willie, fold your little hands; 

Let it drop, that ‘‘ soldier toy: 

Look where father’s picture stands,— 
Father, who here kissed his boy 
Not two months since,—father kind. 
Who this night may —~ Never mind 
Mother’s sob, my Willie dear. 

Call aloud that He may hear 
Who is God of battles, say, 

0, keep father safe this day 
By the Alma river.” 

Ask no more, child. Never heed 
Either Russ, or Frank, or Turk, 

Right of nations or of creed. 

Chance-poised victory’s bloody work: 
Any flag i’ the wind may roll 
On thy heights, Sebastopol; 



368 


A Book of Lullabies 

Willie, all to you and me 
Is that spot, where’er it be, 

Where he stands—no other word! 

Stands —God sure the child’s prayer 
heard— 

By the Alma river. 


Willie, listen to the bells 
Ringing through the town to-day. 
That’s for victory. Ah, no knells 
For the many swept away,— 
Hundreds—thousands ! Let us weep, 
We who need not,—just to keep 
Reason steady in my brain 
Till the morning comes again. 

Till the third dread morning tell 
Who they were that fought and jell 
By the Alma river. 


Come, we’ll lay us down, my child, 
Poor the bed is, poor and hard; 
Yet thy father, far exiled. 

Sleeps upon the open sward. 
Dreaming of us two at home: 

Or beneath the starry dome 
Digs out trenches in the dark. 
Where he buries—Willie, mark— 
Where he buries those who died 
Fighting bravely at his side 
By the Alma river. 


Sorrow and Woe 


369 


.Willie, Willie, go to sleep, 

God will keep us, 0 my boy; 

He will make the dull hours creep 
Faster, and send news of joy. 

When I need not shrink to meet 
Those dread placards in the street. 

Which for weeks will ghastly stare 
In some eyes—Child, say thy prayer 
Once again; a different one: 

Say, ‘‘ 0 God, Thy will be done 
By the Alma river.” 

Dinah Maria Mulock. 

REBEL MOTHER’S LULLABY 

Ah, rest to the morrow, for many the 
sorrow 

That waking will brew; 

Gone is thy brother. 

Long must I rue; 

Hark not thy mother 
Rocking thee to. 

Rocking thee fro, Lennavan mo, 

Ireland’s own woe 

Never must keep children from sleep, 
Lennavan mo. 

The clouds are fast creeping, and Mary is 
weeping 

Her tears down the sky; 

Gray is the evening 
When Irishmen die; 


370 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hark not the keening, 

Rest thee and lie, 

Lennavan mo, Lennavan mo. 

Far be the foe. 

Ours is the strife, yours is dear life, 
Lennavan mo. 

Earl Garrat is hiding. Lord Edward is 
riding. 

And fast is his rein ; 

The horses are stamping 
Over the plain; 

Hark not the tramping. 

Turn thee again, 

Lennavan mo, Lennavan mo. 

Nestle down low, 

Others may ride, you must abide, 
Lennavan mo. 

Shane Leslie, 


A BELGIAN LULLABY 

Little hungry baby—do not cry! 

Little hungry baby—hush-a-bye! 

Yes! I know, my child, there is no bread. 

Yes, I know your father’s murdered, dead! 
. And I know your brother is a slave 
But a Belgian baby must be brave! 
Little hungry baby—do not cry! 
Little hungry baby—hush-a-bye! 


Sorrow and Woe 


371 


Little starving baby—do not cry! 

Little starving baby, hush-a-bye! 

Yes! I know your painful, gnawing need, 
Yes, I hear the starving thousands plead! 
But I know America will send 
Milk and food to succour e’er the end. 
Little starving baby—do not cry! 
Little starving baby—^hush-a-bye! 


Little famished baby—do not cry! 

Little famished baby—must you die? 

Did the ruthless Huns destroy the food 
That was sent to save our baby brood? 
Little dying baby—go to rest! 
Sleep-a-bye, my baby, on my breast. 
Little dying baby—do not cry! 
Little dying baby, hush-a-bye! 


Little silent baby—sleep-a-bye. 

God above has heard your dying cry. 

In His arms are little children blessed. 

Woe to those who little ones oppressed! 
Woe to those who would not mercy give! 
Woe to those who would not let you 
live! 

Little silent baby—sleep-a-bye! 
Little silent baby—sleep-a-bye! 

Martha S, Gielow. 



372 


A Book of Lullabies 

THE WIDOW’S LULLABY 

From the Welsh 

Lull-lully, my baby, oh, would that thy mother 
Were happy as thou, and light-hearted to-night; 
Lull-lully, now get thee to sleep with no singing. 
My songs are all quenched, like a perishing light; 
And ’tis easier now 
To shed tears on thy brow, 

While thus I bend over thy cradle, and trace 
Thy father’s dear image again in thy face. 


Lull-lully, my pretty; I joy thou dost know not 

That thou art an orphan—nor wilt yet for long; 

Thy heart so unspotted were breaking, my 
treasure, 

Didst thou know that a widow unshielded from 
wrong 

Doth lull thee to sleep 
In loneliness deep. 

With thy father no more at the hearth by her 
side. 

With no counsel, no song, and no rudder to guide. 


Lull-lully, my fay, if thy mother be spared thee, 
Thou’lt find against wrongs a sure shield in her 
arm; 

Thy father’s dear spirit now prayeth in Heaven 
The world’s mighty Ruler to guard us from-harm; 


Sorrow and Woe 


373 


Yea, asketh me too 
To shelter thee true, 

Like an angel to nurse thee beneath Heaven’s 
eyes; 

Oh, lully—^ere long we shall lie where he lies! 


Lull-lully—without there the rough wind blows 
colder, 

And thick in the moonlight the frost spreads a 
shroud ; 

But yonder, my Guen, there’s a beautiful Canaan 
For us the forlorn—without darkness or cloud. 
Of that Country all bright 
We will dream through this night; 

Oh, could we but go there to wander, set free 
Yea, go while we dream of the dawn that shall be! 

Arranged by Alma StrettelL 

THE WIDOW 

From the Sicilian 

Sweet, my child, in slumber lie. 

Father’s dead, is dead and gone. 

Sleep then, sleep, my little son, 

Sleep, my son, and lullaby. 

Thou for kisses dost not cry. 

Which thy cheeks he heaped upon. 

Sleep then, sleep, my pretty one. 

Sleep, my child, and lullaby. 



374 


A Book of Lullabies 

We are lonely, thou and I, 

And with grief and fear I faint. 

Sleep, then, sleep, my little saint, 

Sleep, my child, and lullaby. 

Why dost weep? No father nigh. 

Ah, my God! tears break his rest. 

Darling, nestle to my breast. 

Sleep, my child, and lullaby. 

THE WIDOW’S LULLABY 

She droops like a dew-dropping lily. 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 

The sun comes up from the lea. 

As he who will never come more 
Came up that first day to her door. 

When the ship furled her sails by the shore. 
And the spring leaves were green on the tree. 

But she droops like a dew-dropping lily. 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 

The sun goes down in the sea. 

As he who will never go more 

Went down that last day from her door. 

When the ship set her sails from the shore. 
And the dead leaves were sere on the tree. 


Sorrow and Woe 


375 


But she droops like a dew-dropping lily, 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 

The year comes glad o’er the lea, 

As he who will never come more. 

Never, ah, never! 

Came up that first day to her door, 

When the ship furled her sails by the shore. 
And the spring leaves were green on the tree. 
Never, ah, never! 

He who will come again, never! 

But she droops like a dew-dropping lily. 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 

The year goes sad to the sea. 

As he who will never go more 
For ever went down from her door. 

Ever, for ever! 

When the ship set her sails by the shore. 

And the dead leaves were sere on the tree 
Ever, for ever! 

For ever went down from her door. 

But she droops like a dew-dropping lily, 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 


376 


A Book of Lullabies 

A gun, and a flash, and a gun. 

The ship lies again where she lay! 

High and low, low and high, in the sun, 
There’s a boat, a boat on the bay! 

High and low, low and high, in the sun, 

All as she saw it that day, 

When he came who shall never come more. 

And the ship furled her sails by the shore. 

But she droops like a dew-dropping lily. 

Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! ” 

All as she saw it that day. 

With a gun, and a flash, and a gun. 

The ship lies again where she lay. 

And they run, and they ride, and they run. 
Merry, merry, merry, down the merry highway. 
To the boat, high and low in the sun. 

Nearer and nearer she hears the rolling drum. 
Clearer and clearer she hears the cry, They 
come,” 

Far and near runs the cheer to her ear once so 
dear, 

Merry, merry, merry, up the merry highway. 
As it ran when he came that day 
And said, Wilt thou be my dearie? 

My boat is dry in the bay, 

And I’ll love till thou be w^eary! ” 

And she could not say him nay. 


Sorrow and Woe 


377 


For his bonny eyes o’ blue, 

And never was true-love so true, 

To never so kind a dearie. 

As he who will never love more, 

When the ship furls her sails by the shore. 

Then she shakes like a wind-stricken lily. 
Whisht thee, boy, whisht thee, boy Willie! 
Whisht whisht o’ thy wailing, whisht thee, boy 
Willie! 

Sydney Dobell. 
HIS LULLABY 

You cried in your sleep for your mother, dear— 
Baby, baby! 

I would you could call her back to us here. 

Baby, baby! 

The little lambs are asleep on the sod. 

And my own lambkin’s beginning to nod, 

And over the starlight your mother’s with God, 
Baby, baby! 

Sleep has come to the birds with the dew. 

Baby, baby! 

Her eyes were as blue as the eyes of you. 

Baby, baby! 

Dreams for your slumbers come up from the deep; 

I’ll love as she loved till morning lights peep. 

And mother above us will watch while we sleep. 
Baby, baby! 


Robert Healy. 


378 


A Book of Lullabies 

LULLABY FOR A SICK CHILD 
From the Italian 

Sleep, dear child, as mother bids; 

If thou sleep thou shalt not die! 
Sleep, and death shall pass thee by. 
Close worn eyes and aching lids. 

Yield to soft forgetfulness; 

Let sweet sleep thy senses press; 
Child on whom my love doth dwell. 
Sleep, sleep, and thou shalt be well. 


See, I strew thee, soft and light, 

Bed of down that cannot pain; 
Linen sheets have o’er it lain 
More than snow new-fallen white. 
Perfume sweet, health-giving scent. 
The meadows’ pride, is o’er it sprent 
Sleep, dear son, a little spell. 

Sleep, sleep, and thou shalt be well. 


Change thy side and rest thee there 
Beauty! love! turn on thy side, 

0 my son, thou dost not bide 
As of yore, so fresh and fair. 

Sickness mars thee with its spite, 
Cruel sickness changes quite; 
How alas! its traces tell! 

Yet sleep, andAhou shalt be well. 


Sorrow and Woe 


379 


Sleep, thy mother’s kisses poured 
On her darling son. Repose ; 

God give end to all our woes. 

Sleep, and wake by sleep restored. 

Pangs that make thee faint shall fly! 
Sleep, my child, and lullaby! 

Sleep, and fears of death dispel ; 

Sleep, sleep, and thou shalt be well. 

A MOTHER TO HER SICK CHILD 

Thou canst not understand my words 
No love for me was meant: 

The smile that lately crossed thy face 
Was but an accident. 

The music’s thine, but mine the tears 
That make thy lullaby; 

To-day I’ll rock thee into sleep. 
To-morrow thou must die. 

And when our babies sleep their last. 
Like aged dames or men. 

They need not mother’s lullaby. 

Nor any rocking then. 

William H. Davies. 

THE LAST CRADLE SONG 

Bawloo, my bonnie baby, bawlililu. 
Light be thy care and cumber; 

Bawloo, my bonnie baby, bawlililu. 

Oh, sweet be thy sinless slumber. 


380 


A Book of Lullabies 

Ere thou wert born my youthful heart 
Yearned o’er my babe with sorrow; 

Long is the night-noon that we must part, 
But bright shall arise the morrow. 

Bawloo, my bonnie baby, bawlililu, 

Here no more will I see thee; 

Bawloo, my bonnie baby, bawlililu, 

Oh, sail* is my heart to lea’ thee. 

But far within yon sky so blue. 

In love that fail shall never. 

In valleys beyond the land of the dew, 

I’ll sing to my baby for ever. 

James Hogg. 


THE DEATH LULLABY 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Once more upon my breast 
Thine aching head shall rest, 
In quiet sleep. 

Sleep, baby, sleep! 

Sweetly thine eye is closing. 
Calmly thou’rt now reposing. 
In slumber deep. 

Sleep, angel baby, sleep! 
Not in thy cradle bed 
Shall rest thy little head. 

But with the quiet dead, 

In dreamless sleep. 


Soirow and Woe 


381 


SLEEP, DARLING, SLEEP 

Fold thy hands, little one, 
Over thy breast, 

Life’s journey just begun. 
Lie down and rest. 

No more thy little e3^es 
Ever shall weep. 

Till God shall bid thee rise, 
Sleep, darling, sleep! 


Child-angel, stretch thine hand; 

For thee, on high, 

Waiteth an angel band. 
Hovering nigh. 

Smiling, for thee they wait. 

Up in the skies. 

Up thro’ the pearly gate. 

Rise, darling, rise! 


He who the little ones 
Blessed long ago. 

He who the children once 
Loved here below. 

Said, Little children, come! 

He loveth best. 

Safe in His heav’nly home. 

Rest, darling, rest! 

Mary B. C. Slade. 


382 


A Book of Lullabies 


LULLABY 

My little one, sleep softly 
Among the toys and flowers. 

Sleep softly, 0 my first-born son, 
Through all the long dark hours. 
And if you waken far away 
I shall be wandering too. 

If far away you run and play 
My heart must follow you. 


Sleep softly, 0 my baby. 

And smile down in your sleep. 

Here are red rose-buds for your bed— 
Smile, and I will not weep. 

We made our pledge—you had no fear; 

What then to fear have I? 

Though long you sleep, I shall be near; 
So hush—we must not cry. 


Sleep softly, dear one, softly— 

They cannot part us now; 

Forever rest here on my breast, 

My kiss upon your brow. 

What though they hide a little grave 
With dream-flowers, false or true? 
What difference? We will just be brave 
Together—I and you. 


Harriet Monroe. 


Sorrow and Woe 


383 


THE CHILDLESS MOTHER^S LULLABY 

Oh, many’s the time in the evening 
When the light has fled o’er the sea, 

That I dream alone in the gloaming 
Of the joys that are not for me; 

And oft in my sorrowful bosom 
Swells up the mother-love flame. 

And I clasp with arms that are trembling 
My child that never came; 

Singing—Hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, 
darling. 

Nestle thee deeper in mother’s breast. 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling, 
Tenderest angels will guard thy rest.” 


The candles far down in the city 
Shine out thro’ the purplish gray. 

And the stars come out in the heavens 
And glimmer across the bay; 

The murmuring waves steal homeward 
From the ocean’s larger blue; 

As I dream alone in the gloaming 
Of the child that I never knew; 

Singing—Hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, 
darling. 

Nestle thee deeper in mother’s breast. 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling, 
Tenderest angels wdll guard thy rest.” 





384 


A Book of Lullabies 

Oh, the little warm cheek in my bosom, 

Oh, the little wet lips at my breast. 

Oh, the clinging, wee, satiny fingers 
To my longing lips that are pressed! 

There was never a song that was sweeter, 

Tho’ its singer be laureled with fame; 
Than the song that I sing in the gloaming 
To the child that never came; 

“ Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling. 
Nestle thee deeper in mother’s breast. 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling, 
Tenderest angels will guard thy rest/^ 

The hours swim on to the midnight, 

The moon looks over the hill. 

And the u-lu-lu of the night owl 
Sinks mournfully and shrill; 

The solitude aches with rapture. 

And my heart with the mother-love flame 
As I sing alone in the gloaming 
To the child that never came. 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling, 
Nestle thee deeper in mother’s breast. 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling, 
Tenderest angels will guard thy rest.” 

Ella Higginson, 




HUMOROUS LULLABIES 


A SERENADE 

“ Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Thus I heard a father cry. 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

The brat will never shut an eye; 
Hither come, some power divine! 

Close his lids, or open mine! 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

What the devil makes him cry? 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Still he stares—I wonder why. 

Why are not the sons of earth 
Blind, like puppies, from their birth?” 

“ Lullaby, 0, lullaby! ” 

Thus I heard the father cry; 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Mary, you must come and try!— 
Hush, oh, hush, for mercy’s sake— 
The more I sing, the more you wake! 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Fie, you little creature, fie! 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Is no poppy-syrup nigh? 

Give him more, or give him all, 

I am nodding to his fall! ” 

385 



38G 


A Book of Lullabies 

Lullaby, O, lullaby! 

Two such nights and I shall die! 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

He’ll be bruised, and so shall I— 

How can I from bedposts keep. 

When I’m walking in my sleep? ” 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Sleep his very looks deny— 

Lullaby, 0, lullaby! 

Nature soon will stupefy— 

My nerves relax—my eyes grow dim— 
Who’s that fallen—me or him? 

Thomas Hood, 

MAGRUDER’S LULLABY 

There, there, there. 

What’s the matter with the boy? 

There, there, there. 

Did he go to bed at six o’clock, 

And sleep till half-past two? 

Well, well, well. 

There, there, there. 

Now close your little eyes. That’s right. 
Now open them again. That’s right. 

Now rest your dear head on the other shoul¬ 
der. 

Now smile. 

Oh! how sweet! 

Wake up now, and go to sleep again. 

There, there, there. 


Humorous Lullabies 


387 


Shut your beautiful eyes and wake up again. 
Yes, I know. Well, well, well. 

Lie down and get up. There, there, there. 
It would be lighter if it wasn’t so dark. 

And warmer if it wasn’t so cold. 

Yes, yes, yes. 

But the sun will be out in a few minutes 
For it’s most morning. 

Yes, yes, my little dear, my pet.” 


A BOSTON LULLABY 

Baby’s brain is tired of thinking 
Of the Wherefore and the Whence; 

Baby’s precious eyes are blinking 
With incipient somnolence. 

Little hands are weary turning 
Heavy leaves of lexicon; 

Little nose is fretted learning 
How to keep its glasses on. 

Baby knows .the laws of nature 
Are beneficent and wise; 

His medulla oblongata 

Bids my darling close his eyes. 

And his pneumogastrics tell him 
Quietude is always best 

When his little cerebellum 
Needs recuperative rest. 


388 


A Book of Lullabies 

Baby must have relaxation, 

Let the world go wrong or right— 
Sleep, my darling, leave Creation 
To its chances for the night. 

James Jeffrey Roche. 


THE NIPPER’S LULLABY 

He’s run his little legs orff, and at last he’s gone 
to sleep. 

Lor’! wot a puffick mint o’ love lies in that little 
’eap! 

He’s a baby to be prahd on, weighing not far off a 
stone. 

He’s worth ’is weight in thick uns, and ’e’s all our 
wery own. 

Sleep lightly, dream brightly. 

Rest until the daylight comes agen. 

Wake up in the mornin’ 

When the day is dawnin’, 

But sleep your level best till then. 


Jes’ see ’im of a mornin’ as ’e sets up in ’is bed. 

And sez such things, it’s wonderful ’ow they all 
come in ’is ’ead! 

And he sucks his blessed bottle till it’s drier than 
a bone. 

Like his dad, ’e likes ’is bottle,—and ’e’s all our 
wery own. 

Sleep lightly, dream brightly, etc. 


Humorous Lullabies 


389 


And the things that nipper swallers—well, yon 
really wouldn’t think. 

If there is a thing he’s nuttier on than anything, 
it’s ink! 

Drinks a glass full at a settin’,—sich a thing was 
never known! 

And he dines orff nails and matches,—and he’s 
all our wery own. 

Sleep lightly, dream brightly, etc. 

He’s got a narsty temper,—‘‘ Like ’is dad,” ’is 
mammy sez,— 

And wotever he’s a likin’ for, that little warmint 
’es. 

He’s the ortiest of ortocrats wot sits upon a throne, 

For he does jest wot he bloomin’ likes,—and he’s 
all our wery own. 

Sleep lightly, dream brightly, etc. 

M, B, Spurr. 


LULLABIES FOR DOLLS 


A NURSERY RHYME 

Hushy baby, my doll, I pray you don’t cry, 

And I’ll give you some bread and some milk by- 
and-by; 

Or perhaps you like custard, or maybe a tart,— 
Then to either you’re welcome, with all my whole 
heart. 


DOLL’S CRADLE-SONG 
From the German 

Sleep, Dolly, sleep, 

Softly repose. 

Sleep, Dolly, sleep. 

Your little eyelids close. 
While in school I am sighing, 
You in bed are lying; 

And have all the day 
Time enough for play. 

Sleep, Dolly, sleep. 

Softly repose. 

Sleep, Dolly, sleep. 

Your little eyelids close. 

390 



Ltdlabies for Dolls 


391 


Hush, my pretty, go to sleep! 
While I sing you of the sheep. 

And the lamb that went to wander 
With the goose and giddy goody 
gander. 

Sleep, my Dolly, sleep! 

A LULLABY 

Dollie, the night has come. 

Swiftly the day has sped; 

After the fun, when daylight is done. 
Why, ev’ry one goes to bed. 
Good-night, good-night. 

Dollie, I know it’s hard. 

Still it won’t do to cry. 

For I suppose where ev’ry one goes, 
We ought to go too, you and I, 
Good-night, good-night. 

There is a land far north, 

I have heard papa say. 

Where the sun glows all over the snows. 
And six months long is the day, 

A long, long day. 

Oh, what a time they have. 

Six months of fine delight. 

Only I think when sunlight does sink. 
There comes a long six months’ night, 
A long, long night. 


392 


A Book of Lullabies 

We have it better here; 

When the night’s shadows creep, 

Soon comes the day to drive them away, 
When we awake from our sleep. 

From pleasant sleep. 

Close now your peeping eyes. 

Till the bright morning gleams; 

Softly and slow to Slumberland go. 
Where angels shall bring you dreams. 
Good-night, good-night. 

Louis C. Elson. 


DOLLY’S LULLABY 

Hush-a-by, baby! Your baby, mamma. 

No one but pussy may go where you are; 
Soft-footed pussy alone may pass by, 

For if he wakens your baby will cry. 

Hush-a-by, dolly! My baby are you. 
Yellow-haired dolly with eyes of bright blue; 
Though I say “ Hush! ” because mother does 
so, 

You wouldn’t cry like her baby, I know! 

« 

Hush-a-by, baby! Mamma walks about. 
Sings to you softly, or rocks you without; 

If you slept sounder, then I might walk, too. 
Sing to my dolly and rock her like you. 


893 


Lullabies for Dolls 

Hush-a-by, dolly! sleep sweetly, my pet! 
Dear mamma made you this fine berceau- 
nette, 

Muslin and rose-color, ribbon and lace— 
When had a baby a cosier place? 


Hush-a-by, baby! the baby who cries— 

Why, dear mamma, don’t you shut babj^’s 
eyes? 

Pull down his wire, as I do, you see. 

Lay him by dolly, and come out with me. 


Hush-a-by, dolly! Mamma will not speak ; 
You, my dear baby, would sleep for a week. 
Poor mamma’s baby allows her no rest, 
Hush-a-by, dolly, of babies the best! 

Juliana Horatia Ewing. 


DOLLY’S LULLABY 

Sing, I must sing to my dear dolly, sing. 

And tell her stories of everything. 

She is tired of my singing just “ Sleep, dear, 
sleep,” 

She is tired of the songs about Little Bo-Peep, 
Jack Horner, Miss Muffet, and all of the rhymes 
I have sung from my picture-book dozens of times. 
Sing, I must sing to my dear dolly, sing. 

And tell her the stories of everything! 


394 A Book of Lullabies 

Slumber, my dolly! I’ll tell you to-night 
Of trees that are blossoming rosy and white; 

Of brooks where the ripples of brown water run 
And tinkle like music and shine in the sun; 

Of nests where the baby birds sit in a heap, 

And the mother sits over them when they’re 
asleep. 

Sing, I must sing to my dear dolly, sing, 

And tell her the stories of everything! 

The summer is green and the winter is white, 
There is sunshine by day and star-shine at night; 
The stars are so many it cannot be told, 

The moon is of silver but they are of gold; 

The clouds are like ships and the sky like the sea. 
Only turned upside down over dolly and me. 
Sing, 1 must sing to my dear dolly, sing, 

But I never can tell her of everything! 

Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer. 


LULLABIES FOR THE 
CHRIST-CHILD 




UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN 

While the angels sang hosannas! 

And the stars in glory span, 

When the lambs slept on the meadows 
Then was born the Son of man: 
Sweet, His mother in the shadows 
Leant, and sang a lullaby. 

While the lambs slept on the meadows. 
And the stars watched in the sky. 

Agnes H. Beghie. 

LATIN HYMNS AND INSCRIPTIONS 

A CRADLE-SONG OF THE VIRGIN 

The Virgin stills the crying 
Of Jesus, sleepless, lying; 

And singing for His pleasure. 

Thus calls upon her treasure. 

My Darling, do not weep. 

My Jesu, sleep! 

0 Lamb, my love inviting, 

0 Star, my soul delighting, 

0 Flower of mine own bearing, 

0 Jewel past comparing! 

My Darling, do not weep. 

My Jesu, sleep! ■ 

395 




396 


A Book of Lullabies 

My Child, of might indwelling, 

My Sweet, all sweets excelling. 

Of Bliss the fountain flowing, 

The Dayspring ever glowing. 

“ My Darling, do' not weep. 

My Jesu, sleep! 

My Joy, my‘Exultation, 

My spirit’s consolation; 

My Son, my Spouse, my Brother, 

0 listen to Thy mother! 

My Darling, do not weep. 

My Jesu, sleep! ” 

Say, would’st Thou heavenly sweetness, 

Or love of answering meetness? 

Or is flt music wanting? 

Ho! angels, raise your chanting! 

My Darling, do not weep. 

My Jesu, sleep! ” 

English version by H. R. Bramley, 

THE VIRGIN’S CRADLE-HYMN 

Sleep, sweet Babe, my cares beguiling. 
Mother sits beside Thee smiling; 

Sleep, my Darling, tenderly! 

If Thou sleep not, mother mourneth; 
Singing as her wheel she turneth; 

Come, soft slumber, balmily! 

From a print of the Virgin in a Catholic Vil¬ 
lage in Germany; English version hy 
Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 



STAR OF BETHLEHEM. 

From Painting by Bruno Piglheini 







Lullabies for the Christ-Child 397 

LULLABY OF THE VIRGIN 

Sleep, Child—Thy mother’s first-born, 
Thou, 

Yea, first and only one. 

Then sleep, oh sleep—Thy father calls. 
Unto his little son. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise, 

t 

I strewed the bed for thee alone. 

Sleep, Babe, so fair to see; 

I strewed it of the softest hay. 

Sleep, little soul of me. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise. 

Sleep, then, my Jewel and my Crown, 

0 milky Nectar, sleep! 

And mother will bring gifts to Thee, 

For Thee sweet beans will heap. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise. 

I’ll give Thee whatsoe’er Thou wilt, 

Sleep, then, beloved Boy; 

My little Treasure, quietly sleep, 

0 Thou, Thy mother’s joy! 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise. 


398 A Book of Lullabies 

Oh, sleep, my Throne, my Heart, o^er whom 
Thy mother doth rejoice! 

Thy lisp is heavenly to mine ears. 

And honey-sweet Thy voice. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise, 

Roses Vl\ strew, that naught may lack. 

And violets, on the hay; 

Hyacinths and lilies on the floor 
And in the manger lay. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise. 

And—wilt Thou music?—to Thy bed 
The shepherds I will bring; 

For none are better, sure, than they, 

More sweetly none can sing. 

To Thee a thousand times we raise 
A thousand songs of praise, 

English version by Alma Strettell. 


MEDIAEVAL FOLK-SONGS AND 
CAROL LULLABIES 


Sicilian 

THE VIRGIN’S LULLABY 

The Virgin thus to Jesus did sing, 
When cradled, she soothed Him to rest: 
Sleep, my Son, sleep. 

Sleep, Jesu, my Son, 

Sleep, Jesu, my Son. 

How perfect Thy form! 

How sweet is Thy mouth! 

How golden Thine hair. 

How beauteous Thy face! 

My heartbeats are Thine, 

Sleep, oh! sleep soon! 

Son, still so youthful and fair. 

Light of my heart! 

Thou seemest too chill, 

Come, hug tighter Thy Mother, 

Her heart is so warm; 

Sleep, my Son, sleep! 

When shepherds came seeking 
Their gifts to display, 

They offered Thee all 
With true love and devotion; 

Sleep, ever sleep sweetly, 

Jesus, my Son! 

399 



400 


A Book of Lullabies 

To flesh Thou dost turn 
In pure love for sinners, 

Yet man ungrateful and vile 
His sins doth ignore, 

With mockery bold and perverse. 
Ungrateful remains. 

But, Son of my love, heed it not! 

Graceless man no tears may afford. 

Thy Mother’s fond pity doth mark 
Thy deep, true abasement on earth; 

She weeps when others no cause can per¬ 
ceive. 

Sleep, calmly sleep! 

Son beloved and revered. 

Sleep, free from torment or fear; 

In days soon to come 
Thy sufferings draw nigh ; 

’Tis Thy lot to endure ; 

Sleep, Holy One, sleep! 

Oh! torments and woes will be mine 
Of martyrdom, all but the death. 

What day Thy lips do proclaim: 

‘Mother, mine, my death is at hand.’ 

In anguish, I murmur a prayer. 

Sleep, Innocent, sleep! 

Friends thought so true and devoted. 

My Son will desert Thee apace. 

And grasp sordid gold 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 401 

As the price of Thy life. 

How wilt Thou it bear? 

Sleep now, ever sleep! 

Son holy, beloved, and true, 

Know’st Thou the pains that await Thee 
When Pilate’s dark door Thou shalt cross? 
Scourgings severe and uncounted 
My soul foretells. 

Sleep, loved One, sleep! 

Son, most graceful and dear. 

Then, most truly forsaken and lone; 

When thorns a rough diadem make 
As round Thy grand brow 
They cluster and prick as a crown. 

Sleep, lone One, sleep! 

To Thy cost and my woe 
Three nails shall transfix Thee; 

Feet and hands so sacred and dear 
To a hard cross must be strained, 

What heartbreak will then be mine! 

But, sleep, now sleep! 

Why weepest Thou thus, my sweet Son? 
Come, tell Thine own Mother the cause; 
Let her hear the loved voice. 

With Thy mouth do but speak. 

Why dream of tears and deep sobs? 

Sleep soundly. Son, sleep! 


402 


A Book of Lullahies 

Let me weep and lament, 

Sad and desolate must I behold 
Others condemn Thee, my Son; 

Powerless, helpless watch Thee expire; 

My heart bursts with sorrow and wailing ; 
My Son dead, ah! dead! 

Then, when ThouTt dead. 

They’ll pierce Thy white side— 

In pain and in grief I behold 
The dread lance they employ; 

But now, slumber on yet for a while. 
Sleep, beloved Son, sleep! 

O Son, so tenderly loved. 

For Thee beats this heart; 

Grant me that under my grief, 

Closed be Thine eyelids and still! 

This waiting is bitter to bear. 

Sleep, Jesus, sleep! 

Come, Holy Angels, come! 

Sweet symphonies raise; 

Sing Jesus to sleep 
With your sweet songs! 

And thou, Slumber, come, oh come! 

Sleep, Jesu! my All! sleep! 

Here comes sweet slumber at last 
After tears have been shed; 

His eyes are so weary, 



Lullabies for the Christ-Child 403 

They’re closing apace, 

Now my Son sleeps, 

My God, yet my Son! 

Now I watch Thee asleep, 

I see those sweet eyes in repose, 

But one dark day I shall watch 
Those eyelids in death. 

On a cross with agony fall! 

Sleep now that my tears freely may 
flow.” 


Piedmontese 

THE VIRGIN’S LULLABY 

Sleep, oh sleep, dear Baby mine. 
King Divine; 

Sleep, my Child, in sleep recline; 

Lullaby, mine Infant fair. 

Heaven’s King 
All glittering. 

Full of grace as lilies rare. 

Close Thine eyelids, 0 my Treasure, 
Loved past measure. 

Of my soul, the Lord, the pleasure; 

Lullaby, 0 regal Child, 

On the hay 
My joy I lay; 

Love celestial, meek and mild. 


404 


A Book of LuUabies 

Why dost weep, my Babe? alas! 
Cold winds that pass 

Vex, or is’t the little ass? 

Lullaby, O Paradise; 

Of my heart 
Though Saviour art; 

On Thy face I press a kiss. 

Wouldst Thou learn so speedily. 
Pain to try. 

To heave a sigh? 

Sleep, for Thou shalt see the day 
Of dire scath. 

Of dreadful death. 

To bitter scorn and shame a prey. 

Rays now round Thy brow extend. 
But in the end 

A crown of cruel thorns shall bend. 

Lullaby, 0 little one. 

Gentle guest 
Who for Thy rest 

A manger hast, to lie upon. 

Born in winter of the year, 

Jesu dear. 

As the lost world’s prisoner. 

Lullaby (for Thou art bound 
Pain to know. 

And want and woe). 

Mid the cattle standing round. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 405 

Beauty mine, sleep peacefully; 

Heaven^s monarch! see, 

With my veil I cover Thee. 

Lullaby, my Spouse, my Lord, 

Fairest Child, 

Pure, undefiled, 

Thou by all my soul adored. 

Lo! the shepherd band draws nigh; 

Horns they ply 
Thee their Lord to glorify. 

Lullaby, my soubs delight. 

For Israel, 

Faithless and fell, 

Thee with cruel death would smite. 

Now the milk suck from my breast, 
Holiest, best, 

Thy kind eyes thou openest. 

Lullaby, the while I sing; 

Holy Jesu 
Now sleep anew 
My mantle is Thy sheltering. 

Sleep, sleep, Thou who dost heaven impart 
My Lord Thou art; 

Sleep, as I press Thee to my heart. 

Poor the place where Thou dost lie. 
Earth’s loveliest! 

Yet take Thy rest; 

Sleep my Child, and lullaby. 


406 


A Book of Lullabies 
Alsatian 

SLEEP, LITTLE DOVE 

Sleep, little Dove, the sky's dark above, 

The Virgin sang to her infant son; 

My watch I’m keeping while Thou art sleep¬ 
ing; 

Swiftly to heaven Thy dreams will run. 
Sing, holy angels, your sweet lullabies. 
Smiling and dreaming my little one lies. 

This humble stable is charitable. 

Off’ring a nest of which I’ve need; 

Chill night’s a danger, but in the manger 
All in the hay no cold He’ll heed. 

Sing, holy angels, your sweet lullabies. 
Smiling and dreaming my little one lies. 

Darker ’tis growing, and the wind blowing. 
Beats on the roof and bends each tree; 
Naught need’st Thou fear, 0 Jesus, my Dear, 
For, see, ox and ass are both near Thee. 
Sing, holy angels, your sweet lullabies. 
Smiling and dreaming my little one lies. 

English 

LOLLAI, LOLLAI, LITIL CHILD 

Lollai, lollai, litil Child, 

Whi wepis Thou so sore? 

Nedes mostou wepe 
Hit was iyarkid the yore 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Ever to lib in sorrow 
And sich and mourne evere, 

As thine eldren did er this 
Whil hi alwes were. 

Lollai, lollai, Util Child, 

Child, lolai lullow 
Into uncouth world 
I commen so ertow, 

BY-BY, LULLABY 

By-by, lullaby, by-by, lullaby, 
Rocked I my child; 

By-by, by-by, by-by, lullaby, 

Rocked I my child. 

In a dream late as I lay, 

Methought I heard a maiden say 
And speak these words [so] mild: 

My little son, with Thee I play, 

And come,^’ she sang, “ by, lullaby.^^ 
Thus rocked she her child. 

By-by, lullaby, by-by, lullaby. 
Rocked I my child; 

By-by. 

Then marvelled I right sore of this: 

A maid to have a child ywis. 

By-by, lullaby.^’ 

Thus rocked she her child. 

By-by, lullaby, by-by, lullaby, 
Rocked I my child; 

By-by, by-by, by-by, lullaby, 

Rocked I my child. 


407 


408 


A Book of Lullabies 


CAROL 

I saw a sweet and seemly sight, 

A blissful maid, a blossom bright. 

That moaning made and mirth of mange, 

A maiden mother, meek and mild. 

In cradle keep a knave child 
That softly slept; she sat and sang, 

Lullay, lullow, lully, lullay, lully, lully, lully, 
lully, lully, 

Lullow, lully, lullay, baw, baw, 

, My Bairn, sleep softly now” 

Friar John Brackley of Norwich. 


LULLAY! LULLAY! LYTEL CHILD 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, myn owyn dere fode, 
How xalt Thou sufferin be nayled on the rode. 

So blyssid be the tyme! 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, myn owyn dere smerte, 
How xalt thou sufferin the scharp spere to Thi 
herte? 

t 

So blyssid be the tyme! 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, I synge all for Thi 
sake. 

Many on is the scharpe to Thi body is schape. 

So blyssid be the tyme! 


409 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, fayre happis the 
befalle, 

How xalt Thou sufferin to drynke ezyl and galle? 

So blyssid be the tyme! 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, I synge al beforn 

How xalt Thou sufferin the scharpe garlong of 
thorn? 

So blyssid be the tyme! 

Lullay! lullay! lytel Child, gwy wepy Thou so 
sore. 

Thou art bothin God and man, gwat woldyst Tou 
be more? 

So blyssid be the tyme! 


A CAROL AT THE MANGER 

Lully, lulla, thow littell tine Child; 

By, by, lully, lullay, thow littell tyne Child; 
By, by, lully, lullay. 

0, sisters too! how may we do. 

For to preserve this day 
This pore yongling, for whom we do singe 
By, by, lully, lullay. 

Herod, the King, in his raging, 

Chargid he hath this day 
His men of might, in his owne sight, 

All yonge children to slay. 


410 


A Book of Lullabies 

That wo is me, pore Child, for Thee, 
And ever morne and say, 

For Thi parting, nether say nor singe 
By, by, lully, lullay. 

NATIVITY CAROL 

0 my deir hert, young Jesus sweit, 
Prepare thy creddil in my spreit. 
And I sail rock Thee in my hert. 
And never mair from Thee depart. 

But I sail praise Thee evermoir. 
With sangis sweit unto Thy gloir; 

The knees of my hert sail I bow. 
And sing that richt Balulalow! 


THE MADONNA AND CHILD 

This endris night 
I saw a sight, 

A star as bright as day; 

And ever among 
A maiden sung, 

Lullay, by-by, lullay. 

This lovely lady sat and sang, and to her child 
she said: 

'' My Son, my Brother, my Father dear, why liest 
Thou in hayd? 

My sweet Bird, 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 411 

Thus it is betide 
Though Thou be king veray; 

But, nevertheless, 

I will not cease 
To sing, by-by, lullay” 

The child then spake; in his talking He to His 
mother said: 

‘‘ I bekid am king, in crib though I be laid; 

For angels bright 
Down to me light. 

Thou knowest it is no nay. 

And of that sight 
Thou mayest be light 
To sing, by-hy, lullay/* 

“ Now, sweet Son, since Thou art king, why art 
Thou laid in stall? 

Why not Thou ordain Thy bedding in some 
great kinges hall? 

Methinketh it is right 
That king or knight 
Should be in good array; 

And them among 
It were no wrong 
To sing, by-by, lullay” 

Mary, mother, I am thy child, though I be laid 
in stall. 

Lords and dukes shall worship me and so shall 
kinges all. 


412 


A Book of Lullabies 

Ye shall well see 
That kinges three 

Shall come on the twelfth day; 

For this behest 
Give me thy breast 

And sing, by-hy, lullay” 

“ Now tell me, sweet Son, I Thee pray. Thou art 
my love and dear. 

How should I keep Thee to Thy pay and make 
Thee glad of cheer? 

For all Thy will 
I would fulfil 

Thou weet^st full well in fay. 

And for all this 
I will thee kiss. 

And sing, by-by, lullay” 

My mother dear, when time it be, take thou me 
up aloft, 

And set me upon thy knee and handle me full 
soft. 

And in thy arm 
Thou wilt me warm. 

And keep me night and day; 

And if I weep 
And may not sleep 

Thou sing, by-by, lullay” 

“ Now, sweet Son, since it is so, all things are at 
Thy will, 

I pray Thee grant to me a boon if it be right 
and skill, 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 413 

That child or man, 

That will or can, 

Be merry upon my day; 

To bliss them bring, 

And I shall sing, 

Lullay, by-by, lullay” 


LULLABY CAROL 

I saw a fair maiden sit and sing, 

She lulled a little child, a sweet lording: 

Lullay, mine Liking, my dear Son, mine 
Sweeting, 

Lullay, my dear Heart, mine own dear 
Darling. 

That very lord is He that made all things 
Of all lords He is Lord [and] King of all kings. 

Lullay, mine Liking, my dear Son, mine 
Sweeting, 

Lullay, my dear Heart, mine own dear 
Darling. 

There was mickle melody at that Childes birth, 
All that were in heaven’s bliss, they made 
mickle mirth. 

Lullay, mine Liking, my dear Son, mine 
Sweeting, 

Lullay, my dear Heart, mine own dear 
Darling. 


414 


A Book of Lullabies 

Angels bright they sang that night and saiden 
to that Child, 

Blessed be Thou, and so be she that is both 
meek and mild.” 

Lullay, mine Liking, my dear Son, mine 
Sweeting, 

Lullay, my dear Heart, mine own dear 
Darling. 

Pray we now to that Child, and to His mother 
dear, 

Grant them His Blessing that now maken cheer. 

Lullay, mine Liking, my dear Son, mine 
Sweeting, 

Lullay, my dear Heart, mine own dear 
Darling. 


A DREAM CAROL 

Ah, my dear Son,” said Mary, '' ah, my dear. 
Kiss Thy mother, Jesu, with a laughing 
cheer! ” 

This endnes night I saw a sight 
All in my sleep, 

Mary, that May, she sang lullay 
And sore did weep; ’ 

To keep, she sought, full fast about 
Her Son from cold. 

Joseph said. Wife, my joy, my life, 

Say what ye would. 


415 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Nothing, my spouse, is in this house 
Unto my pay; 

My Son a king, that made all thing, 

Lieth in hay. 

'' Ah, my dear Son,” said Mary, '' ah, my dear. 
Kiss Thy mother, Jesu, with a laughing 
cheer! ” 


My mother dear, amend your cheer 
And now be still; 

Thus for to lie it is soothly 
My Father’s will. 

Derision, great passion. 

Infinitely, 

As it is found many a wound 
Suffer shall I; 

On Calvary that is so high 
There shall I be, 

Man to restore, nailed full sore 
Upon a tree. 

Ah, my dear Son,” said Mary, ah, my dear. 

Kiss Thy m,other, Jesu, with a laughing 
cheer! ” 


LULLAY, LULLAY 

Lullay, lullay. Thou lytill Child, 
Sleep and be well still; 

The King of bliss Thy father is. 
As it was his will. 


416 


A Book of Lullabies 

The other night I saw a sight, 

A mayd a cradle keep: 

“ Lullay,’' she sung, and said among, 

“ Lie still, my Child, and sleep/’ 

How should I sleep? I may not for weep, 
So sore am I begone: 

Sleep I would; I may not for cold, 

And clothes have I none. 

For Adam’s guilt mankind is spilt 
And that me rueth sore; 

For Adam and Eve here shall I live 
Thirty winter and more.” 


THE KING IN THE CRADLE 

My sweet little Babie, what meanest Thou to cry? 

Be still, my blessed Babe, though cause Thou hast 
to mourn. 

Whose blood, most innocent, to shed the cruel 
king hath sworn; 

And lo, alas; behold what slaughter he doth make, 

Shedding the blood of infants all, sweet Saviour, 
for Thy sake. 

A King, a King is born, they say, which King this 
king would kill: 

0 woe and wojul heavy day ivhen wretches have 
their will! 

Lulla, la lulla, lulla, lullaby. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 417 

Three kings this King of kings to see, are come 
from far, 

To each unknown, with offerings great, by guiding 
of a star; 

And shepherds heard the song, which angels bright 
did sing, 

Giving all glory unto God for coming of this King, 

Which must be made away—King Herod would 
Hun kill; 

0 woe and wojul heavy day when wretches have 
their will! 

Lulla, la lulla, lulla, lullaby. 


Lo, lo, my little Babe, be still, lament no more; 

From fury Thou shaft step aside, help have we 
still in store; 

We heavenly warning have, some other soil to 
seek; 

From death must fly the Lord of life, as lamb 
both mild and meek; 

Thus must my Babe obey the king that would 
Him kill; 

O woe and wojul heavy day when wretches have 
their will! 

Lulla, la lulla, lulla, lullaby. 


But Thou shaft live and reign, as sibyls hath fore- 
said. 

As all the prophets prophesy, whose mother, yet 
a maid 


418 A Book of Lullabies 

And perfect virgin pure, with her breasts shall 
upbreed 

Both God and man that all hath made, the Son 
of heavenly seed; 

Whom caitives none can Hray, whom tyrants none 
can kill: 

0 joy and joyjul happy day when wretches want 
their will! 

Lulla, la lulla, lulla, lullaby. 


GLORIA TIBI, DOMINE 

There is a Child born of our blessed Virgin; 

I heard a Maid lullaby to sing: 

Peace, my dear Child, of Thy weeping. 

For Thou shaft be our Heavenly King.” 

Now sing we, and now sing we, 

To the Gloria tibi, Domine. 

0 Mother! 0 Mother! your wishes are 
nought; 

It is not for Me such carols are wrought; 

Such carols were never by woman thought 
To the Gloria tibi, Domine.” 

Now sing we, etc. 

0 my dear Son, why sayest Thou so? 

Thou art my Son, I have no moe; 

When Gabriel bespoke Thee, full of grace. 
Thou needest not to tell me of this case.” 
Now sing we, etc. 


419 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

0, they will thrust, Mother, My head from 
My hair, 

With a crown of sharp thorns they Me will 
not spare, 

And with sharp spears My heart will tear, 
To the Gloria tibi, Domine. 

Now sing we, etc. 

0 come you here, Mother, and you shall see 
My hands and feet nailed to the rood tree, 
And my feet, Mother, are fastened thereby, 

A vile sight. Mother, for you to see.” 

Now sing we, and now sing we. 

To the Gloria tibi, Domine, 

And now sing we more or less. 

And welcome be this merry Christmas. 


MODERN POEMS AND SONGS 


OUR BLESSED LADY’S LULLABY 

Upon my lap my Sovereign sits 
And sucks upon my breast; 

Meanwhile His love sustains my life 
And gives my body rest. 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

When Thou hast taken Thy repast. 
Repose, my Babe, on me! 

So may Thy mother and Thy nurse 
Thy cradle also be! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

I grieve, that duty doth not work 
All that my wishing would; 

Because I would not be to Thee 
But in the best I should! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Yet as I am, and as I may, 

I must, and will, be Thine! 

Though all too little for thyself 
Vouchsafing to be mine. 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

420 



Lullabies for the Christ-Child 421 

My wits, my words, my deeds, my thoughts, 
And else what is in me, 

I rather will not wish to use, 

If not in serving Thee! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

My babe, my bliss, my child, my choice. 

My fruit, my flower, and bud; 

My Jesus, and my only joy! 

The sum of all my good! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

My sweetness, and the sweetest most 
That Heaven could Earth deliver! 

Soul of my love. Spirit of my life. 

Abide with me for ever! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Live still with me, and be my Love! 

And death will me refrain; 

L^nless Thou let me die with Thee, 

To live with Thee again! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Leave now to wail! thou luckless wight 
That wrought’st thy race’s woe! 

Redress is found! and foiled is 
Thy fruit-alluring foe! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 


422 


A Book of Lullabies 

The fruit of death, from Paradise 
Made thee, exiled, mourn! 

My fruit of life, to Paradise 
Makes joyful thy return! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Grow up, good fruit! Be nourished by 
These fountains two of me! 

That only flow with Maiden’s milk. 

The only meat for Thee! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

The earth is now a heaven become! 

And this base bower of mine, 

A princely Palace unto me, 

My son doth make it shine! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

His sight gives clearness to my sight. 
When waking I Him see! 

And, sleeping, His mild countenance 
Gives favor unto me! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

When I Him in mine arms embrace; 

I feel my heart embraced! 

E’en by the inward grace of His, 

Which He in me hath placed. 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

And when I kiss His loving lips; 

Then His sweet-smelling breath 
Doth yield a savor to my soul, 

That feeds Love, Hope, and Faith! 
Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

The Shepherds left their keeping sheep 
For joy to see my lamb! 

How may I more rejoice to see 
Myself to be the dam! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Three kings their treasures hither brou 
Of incense, myrrh, and gold; 

The Heaven’s treasure, and the King, 
That here they might behold. 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

One sort, an Angel did direct; 

A star did guide the other: 

And all, the fairest son to see 
That ever had a mother! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

This sight I see! this child I have! 

This infant I embrace! 

0, endless comfort of the earth; 

And Heaven’s eternal grace! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 


424 


A Book of Lullabies 

Thee, Sanctity herself doth serve! 

Thee, Goodness doth attend! 

Thee, Blessedness doth wait upon; 

And Virtues all commend! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Great Kings and Prophets wished have 
To see that I possess! 

Yet wish I never Thee to see, 

If not in thankfulness! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Let Heaven and Earth, and saints and men. 
Assistance give to me! 

That all their most occurring aid 
Augment my thanks to Thee! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

And let th’ ensuing blessed race. 

Thou wilt succeeding raise. 

Join all their praises unto mine. 

To multiply Thy praise! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

And take my service well in worth. 

And Joseph’s here with me! 

Who, of my husband bears the name. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 425 

Thy servant for to be! 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy! 

Sing, lullaby, my life’s joy! 

Richard Rowlands, 

WHISPERING PALMS 

Holy angels and blest. 

Through these palms as ye sweep. 
Hold their branches at rest. 

For my Babe is asleep. 

And ye, Bethlehem palm-trees, 

As stormy winds rush 
In tempest and fury 
Your angry noise hush;— 

Move gently, move gently, 

Restrain your wild sweep; 

Hold your branches at rest— 

My Babe is asleep. 

Lope de Vega. 

SLEEP! HOLY BABE 

Sleep, holy Babe, upon Thy mother’s breast; 
Great Lord of earth and sea and sky. 

How sweet it is to see Thee lie 
In such a place of rest. 

Sleep, holy Babe; Thine Angels watch 
around. 

All bending low with folded wings. 

Before the incarnate King of kings. 

In reverent awe profound. 


426 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, holy Babe; while I with Mary gaze 
In joy upon that face a while, 

Upon the loving infant smile 
Which there divinely plays. 

Sleep, holy Babe; ah! take Thy brief repose; 
Too quickly will Thy slumbers break. 

And Thou to lengthened pains awake. 

That death alone shall close. 

Edward Caswall. 


SLEEP, MY INFANT SAVIOUR 

Sleep, my infant Saviour, on Thy lowly bed. 
Mystic Star in splendor, shine above Thy head. 

Sleep, while quiring angels, from the midnight 
sky, 

Come with choral greeting, chant Thy lullaby. 

Sleep, while faithful wise men ’round Thy manger 
meet. 

Laying precious treasure at Thy kingly feet. 

While Thy Maiden Mother, Rose and Lily, one, 
Bends in adoration, o’er Thy cradle-throne. 

Slumber, Holy Child, while men and angels sing, 
Hail, Thou Son of Mary, Prophet, Priest and 
King. 


George T. Rider. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 427 

SWEET MARY LULLED HER BLESSED 

CHILD 

Sweet Mary lulled her blessed Child 
In manger lying lowly; 

Full tender was her gaze and mild, 

Her heart was pure and undefiled 
And all her thoughts were holy. 

She sang a song of slumber: 

“ Sleep, my Heart's Desire! 

Lullaby, I sing; 

Born in lowly byre. 

Yet Saviour, Lord and King. 

The sages of a wondrous line 
Have come and bow'd before Thee, 

In eastern heav'n they saw the sign. 

That mark'd Thee as the Child Divine, 

And hasted to adore Thee. 

Thine eyes were closed in slumber. 

Sleep, my Heart's Desire," etc. 

Yet while I look upon Thy face, 

As Thou art calmly sleeping. 

Across the coming years I trace. 

Both gloom and glory, grief and grace. 
Both sounds of joy and weeping. 

Though Thou art wrapped in slum¬ 
ber." 

Sleep, my Heart's Desire," etc. 


428 


A Book of Lullabies 

But Jesus in His lowly bed, 

Lay dreaming dreams of gladness, 

And Mary lifted up her head, 

“ The Father’s will is best! ” she said, 

He healeth all our sadness, 

Thou smilest in Thy slumber.” 

Sleep, my Heart’s Desire,” etc. 

H. E, Nichol 

THE VIRGIN MARY TO THE CHILD JESUS 

But see, the Virgin blest 
Hath laid her babe to rest. 

Milton, 

I 

Sleep, sleep, mine Holy One! 

My flesh, my Lord!—what name? I do not 
know 

A name that seemeth not too high or low, 

Too far from me or heaven. 

My Jesus, that is best! that word being given 
By the majestic angel whose command 
Was softly as a man’s beseeching said, 

When I and all the earth appeared to stand 
In the great overflow 
Of light celestial from his wings and head. 
Sleep, sleep, my saving One! 

II 

And art Thou come for saving, baby-browed 
And speechless Being—art Thou come for 
saving? 

The palm that grows beside our door is bowed 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 429 

By treadings of the low wind from the south, 

A restless shadow through the chamber waving: 
Upon its bough a bird sings in the sun; 

But Thou, with that close slumber on Thy 
mouth. 

Dost seem of wind and sun already weary. 

Art come for saving, 0 my weary One? 

III 

Perchance this sleep that shutteth out the 
dreary 

Earth-sounds and motions, opens on Thy soul 
High dreams on fire with God; 

High songs that make the pathways where they 
roll 

More bright than stars do theirs; and visions 
new 

Of Thine eternal nature’s old abode. 

Suffer this mother’s kiss, 

Best thing that earthly is. 

To glide the music and the glory through. 

Nor narrow in Thy dream the broad upliftings 
Of any seraph wing! 

Thus, noiseless, thus. Sleep, sleep, my dream¬ 
ing One! 

IV 

The slumber of His lips meseems to run 
Through my lips to mine heart; to all its shift- 
ings 

Of sensual life, bringing contrariousness 


430 


A Book of Lullabies 

In a great calm. I feel, I could lie down 
As Moses did, and die,—and then live most. 

I am Vare of you, heavenly Presences, 

That stand with your peculiar light unlost. 
Each forehead with a high thought for a crown. 
Unsunned i’ the sunshine! I am Vare. Ye 
throw 

No shade against the wall! How motionless 
Ye round me with your living statuary. 

While through your whiteness, in and out¬ 
wardly. 

Continual thoughts of God appear to go. 

Like light^s soul in itself! I bear, I bear 
To look upon the dropt lids of your eyes. 
Though their external shining testifies 
To that beatitude within, which were 
Enough to blast an eagle at his sun. 

I fall not on my sad clay face before ye; 

I look on His. I know 
My spirit which dilateth with the woe 
Of His mortality. 

May well contain your glory. 

Yea, drop your lids more low. 

Ye are but fellow-worshippers with me! 

Sleep, sleep, my worshipped One! 

V 

We sate among the stalls at Bethlehem. 

The dumb kine from their fodder turning them. 
Softened their horned faces 
To almost human gazes 
Toward the newly born. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 431 

The simple shepherds from the star-lit brooks 
Brought visionary looks, 

As yet in their astonied hearing rung 
The strange, sweet angel-tongue. 

The magi of the East, in sandals worn. 

Knelt reverent, sweeping round, 

With long pale beards, their gifts upon the 
ground. 

The incense, myrrh and gold, 

These baby hands were impotent to hold. 

So, let all earthlies and celestials wait 
Upon Thy royal state! 

Sleep, sleep, my kingly One! 


VI 

« 

I am not proud—meek angels, ye invest 
New meeknesses to hear such utterance rest 
On mortal lips,—I am not proud ’’—not 
proud! 

Albeit in my flesh God sent His Son, 

Albeit over Him my head is bowed 
As others bow before Him, still mine heart 
Bows lower than their knees. 0 centuries 
That roll, in vision, your futurities 
My future grave athwart,— 

Whose murmurs seem to reach me while I keep 
Watch o’er this sleep,— 

Say of me as the heavenly said,—Thou art 
The blessedest of women! ”—blessedest, 


432 


A Book of Lullabies 

Not holiest, not noblest,—no high name. 

Whose height misplaced may pierce me like a 
shame. 

When I sit meek in heaven! 

VII 

For me—for me— 

God knows that I am feeble like the rest!— 

I often wandered forth, more child than maiden. 
Among the midnight hills of Galilee, 

Whose summits looked heaven-laden; 
Listening to silence as it seemed to be 
God’s voice, so soft yet strong—so fain to press 
Upon my heart as heaven did on the height. 
And waken up its shadows by a light. 

And show its vileness by a holiness. 

Then I knelt down most silent like the night. 
Too self-renounced for fears. 

Raising my small face to the boundless blue 
Whose stars did mix and tremble in my tears. 
God heard them falling after—with His dew. 

VIII 

So, seeing my corruption, can I see 
This incorruptible now born of me— 

This fair new Innocence no sun did chance 
To shine on, (for even Adam was no child,) 
Created from my nature all defiled, 

This mystery from out mine ignorance— 

Nor feel the blindness, stain, corruption, more 
Than others do, or I did heretofore?— 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 433 

Can hands wherein such burden pure has been, 
Not open with the cry, “ Unclean, unclean! ” 
More oft than any else beneath the skies? 

Ah King, ah Christ, ah Son! 

The kine, the shepherds, the abased wise, 

Must all less lowly wait 
Than I, upon Thy state!— 

Sleep, sleep, my kingly One! 

IX 

Art Thou a King, then? Come, His universe. 
Come, crown me Him a King! 

Pluck rays from all such stars as never fling 
Their light where fell a curse. 

And make a crowning for this kingly brow!— 
What is my word?—Each empyreal star 
Sits in a sphere afar 
In shining ambuscade: 

The child-brow, crowned by none, 

Keeps its unchildlike shade. 

Sleep, sleep, my crownless One! 

X 

Unchildlike shade!—no other babe doth wear 
An aspect very sorrowful, as Thou.— 

No small babe-smiles, my watching heart has 
seen, 

To float like speech the speechless lips between ; 
No dovelike cooing in the golden air, 


434 


A Booh of Lullabies 

No quick, short joys of leaping babyhood. 
Alas, our earthly good 

In heaven thought evil, seems too good for 
Thee: 

Yet, sleep, my weary One! 

XI 

And then the drear, sharp tongue of prophecy. 
With the dread sense of things which shall be 
done. 

Doth smite me inly, like a sword—a sword?— 
(That ^‘smites the Shepherd! ”) then I think 
aloud 

The words despised,’’—‘‘ rejected,”—every 

word 

Recoiling into darkness as I view 
The darling on my knee. 

Bright angels,—move not!—lest ye stir the 
cloud 

Betwixt my soul and His futurity! 

I must not die, with mother’s work to do. 

And could not live—and see. 

XII 

It is enough to bear 
This image still and fair— 

This holier in sleep, 

Than a saint at prayer: 

This aspect of a child 
Who never sinned or smiled— 




435 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

This presence in an infant’s face: 

This sadness most like love, 

This love than love more deep, 

This weakness like omnipotence. 

It is so strong to move! 

Awful is this watching place, 

Awful what I see from hence— 

A king, without regalia, 

A God, without the thunder, 

A child, without the heart for play; 

Ay, a Creator rent asunder 
From His first glory and cast away 
On His own world, for me alone 
To hold in hands created, crying—Son! 

XIII 

That tear fell not on Thee 
Beloved, yet Thou stirrest in Thy slumber! 
Thou, stirring not for glad sounds out of number 
Which through the vibratory palm-trees run 
From summer wind and bird, 

So quickly hast Thou heard 
A tear fall silently?— 

Wak’st Thou, 0 loving One? 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning. 


A LULLABY FOR CHRISTMAS 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! The mother sings: 
Heaven’s angels kneel and fold their wings. 
Sleep, Baby, sleep! 


436 


A Book of Lullabies 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! The father cries: 

Stars lean and worship from the skies. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

With swathes of scented hay Thy bed 
By Mary’s hand at eve was spread. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

At midnight came the shepherds,' they 
Whom angels wakened by the way. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

And three kings from the East afar 
Ere dawn came, guided by Thy star. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

They brought Thee gifts of gold and gems. 
Pure Orient pearls, rich diadems. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

But Thou, who liest slumbering there. 

Art King of kings, earth, stars, and air. 
Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! The shepherds sing: 
Through earth, through heaven, hosannas 

ring. 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! 

John Addington Symonds, 

MARY TO HER BABE 

f 

Sleep, 0 my little Babe, my Son, my King! 

Within my arms I fold Thee tenderly; 
While all around the birds in rapture sing 
A silvery litany. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 437 

0 mystery! on my heart I hold the world 
That lies within the hollow of Thy hand. 
Thy little hand, thus, like a roseleaf curled. 
The vast creation planned. 

It is the evening hour, the day is done— 

How still Thou liest here upon my breast. 
While Thy great servant, the illumining sun, 
Glides to the waiting West. 

Rest Thee, my Babe, the summer night is 
sweet; 

Sweet is the lullaby the south wind sings; 

I hear on the velvet grass about my feet 
The sweep of Thy angels’ wings. 

L, L, O^K. 

LULLABY IN BETHLEHEM 

There hath come an host to see Thee, 
Baby dear. 

Bearded men with eyes of flame 
And lips of fear. 

For the heavens, they say, have broken 
Into blinding gulfs of glory, 

And the Lord, they say, hath spoken 
In a little, wondrous story. 

Baby dear. 

There have come three kings to greet Thee, 
Baby dear. 

Crowned with gold and clad in purple. 
They draw near, 


438 


A Book of Lullabies 

They have brought rare silks to bind Thee, 
At Thy feet behold they spread them, 
From their thrones they sprang to find 
Thee, 

And a blazing star hath led them. 

Baby dear. 

I have neither jade nor jasper. 

Baby dear, 

Thou art all my hope and glory. 

And my fear. 

Yet for all the gems that strew Thee, 

And the kingly gowns that fold Thee, 

Yea, though all the world should woo Thee, 
Thou art mine—and fast I hold Thee, 
Baby dear. 

H. H. Bashjord. 

THE VIRGIN’S LULLABY 

Hush Thee, hush Thee, little Son, 

Dearest and divinest One; 

Thine are all the untamed herds 
That upon the mountain go. 

Thine are all the timid birds. 

Thine the thunders and the snow. 

Cry not so. Husho, my dear! 

Thunder shall not come Thee near 
While its roar shall frighten Thee. 

Mother holds Thee safe and warm; 

Thou shalt walk upon the sea 
And cry Peace ” unto the storm. 




MADONNA AND CHILD. 

From by Gunymni Sossoferrata. 





439 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Thou shalt take the souls of men 
In Thine hand, as I a wren. 

But not yet, not yet, my Son. 

Thou art still a babe asleep; 

All Thy glories are un-won. 

All mine own Thou art to keep. 

Some day I shall see Thee stand 
King and Lord of every land. 

Now I feed Thee at my breast. 

And delight to feel Thee near. 

Some day—Ah! this time is best. 

Hush Thee, hush Thee, Babe most dear! 

Nora Hopper. 


MARY’S MANGER-SONG 

Sleep, my little Jesus, 

On Thy bed of hay. 

While the shepherds homeward 
Journey on the way! 

Mother is Thy shepherd, 

And will vigil keep; 

Oh, did the angels wake Thee? 
Sleep, my Jesus, sleep! 

Sleep, my little Jesus, 

While Thou art my own! 

Ox and ass Thy neighbors, 
Shalt Thou have a throne? 


440 


A Book of Lullabies 

Will they call me blessed? 

Shall I stand and weep? 

Oh, be it far, Jehovah! 

Sleep, my Jesus, sleep! 

Sleep, my little Jesus, 

Wonder-baby mine! 

Well the singing angels 
Greet Thee as divine. 

Through my heart, as heaven, 

Low the echoes sweep 
Of glory to Jehovah! 

Sleep, my Jesus, sleep! 

William Charming Gannett. 

CAROL 

Mary, the mother, sits on the hill. 

And cradles Child Jesu, that lies so still; 

She cradles Child Jesu, that sleeps so sound. 
And the little wind blows the song around. 

The little wind blows the mother’s words, 
Ei, Jesu, ei,” like the song of birds; 

Ei, Jesu, ei,” I heard it still. 

As I lay asleep at the foot of the hill. 

Sleep, Babe, sleep, mother watch doth keep. 
Ox shall not hurt Thee, nor ass, nor sheep; 
Dew falls sweet from Thy Father’s sky. 
Sleep, Jesu, sleep! ei, Jesu, ei.” 

Langdon E. Mitchell. 


441 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

CAROL OF JESUS CHILD 

What danger, Mary, 
Imaging, 

To those infant cries 
So quick dost spring? 

The lovely lady 
She rocked His bed. 

She laughed to herself 
And, singing, said: 

“ Lullay, my love, 

By-by, lullay, 

I fear the darkness, 

I fear the day; 

A body so quaint 
With heaviness 
(By-by, lullay) 

The air might press. 

The ground such lightness 
Beneath might rise. 

And my flooring sweet 
Throw in surprise. 
Danger is waiting 

By hearth and by way, 
Lullay, my Love, 

By-by, lullay.’’ 

If soldiers bristled 
In all the trees 
And a tempest each morn 
Were hid in the breeze: 


442 


A Book of Lullabies 

No harm could threaten, 

Nor hatred wrong, 

The child who is kept 
For sufferings long. 

Who are born to sorrow 
God guards well aye.’’ 

Lullay, my Darling, 

By-by, lullay.” 

Francis Macnaviara. 


SLUMBER-SONGS OF THE MADONNA 

Prelude 

Dante saw the great white Rose 
Half unclose; 

Dante saw the golden bees 

Gathering from its heart of gold 
Sweets untold, 

Love’s most honeyed harmonies. 

Dante saw the threefold how 
Strangely glow, 

Saw the Rainbow Vision rise. 

And the Flame that wore the crown 
Bending down 
O’er the flowers of Paradise. 

Something yet remained, it seems; 

In his dreams 

Dante missed—as angels may 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 443 

In their white and burning bliss — 

Some small kiss 

Mortals meet with every day, 

Italy in splendor faints 
’Neath her saints! 

0, her great Madonnas, too, 

Faces calm as any moon 
Glows in June, 

Hooded with the night’s deep blue! 

What remains? I pass and hear 
Everywhere, 

Ay, or see in silent eyes 
Just the song she still would sing 
Thus — a-swing 

O’er the cradle where He lies. 

I 

Sleep, little Baby, I love Thee; 

Sleep, little King, I am bending above Thee! 
How should I know what to sing 

Here in my arms as I swing Thee to sleep? 
Hushaby low, 

Rockaby so, 

Kings may have wonderful jewels to bring. 

Mother has only a kiss for her King! 

Why should my singing so make me to weep? 

Only I know that I love Thee, I love Thee, 
Love Thee, my little One, sleep. 


444 A Book of Lullabies 

II 

Is it a dream? Ah yet, it seems 
Not the same as other dreams! 

I can but think that angels sang, 

When Thou wast born, in the starry sky. 
And that their golden harps out-rang 
While the silver clouds went by! 

The morning sun shuts out the stars. 
Which are much loftier than the sun; 
But, could we burst our prison-bars 
And find the Light whence light begun. 
The dreams that heralded Thy birth 
Were truer than the truths of earth; 

And, by that far immortal Gleam, 

Soul of my soul, I still would dream! 


A ring of light was round Thy head. 

The great-eyed oxen nigh Thy bed 
Their cold and innocent noses bowed! 

Their sweet breath rose like an incense cloud 
In the blurred and mystic lanthorn light. 
About the middle of the night 
The black door blazed like some great star 
With a glory from afar. 

Or like some mighty chrysolite 
Wherein an angel stood with white 
Blinding arrowy bladed wings 
Before the throne of the King of kings; 
And, through it, I could dimly see 
A great steed tethered to a tree. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 445 

Then, with crimson gems aflame 
Through the door the three kings came, 

And the black Ethiop unrolled 
The richly broidered cloth of gold, 

And poured forth before Thee there 
Gold and frankincense and myrrh I 

III 

See, what a wonderful smile! Does it mean 
That my little one knows of my love? 

Was it meant for an angel that passed unseen, 
And smiled at us both from above? 

Does it mean that He knows of the birds and 
the flowers 

That are waiting to sweeten His childhood’s 
hours. 

And the tales I shall tell and the games He will 
play, 

And the songs we shall sing and the prayers we 
shall pray 

In His boyhood’s May, 

He and I, one day? 

IV 

For in the warm blue summer weather 
We shall laugh and love together: 

I shall watch my baby growing, 

I shall guide His feet, 

When the orange trees are blowing 
And the winds are heavy and sweet! 


446 


A Book of Lullabies 

When the orange orchards whiten 
I shall see His great eyes brighten 
To watch the long-legged camels going 
Up the twisted street, 

When the orange trees are blowing 
And the winds are sweet. 


What does it mean? Indeed, it seems 
A dream! Yet not like other dreams! 


We shall walk in pleasant vales, 
Listening to the shepherd’s song 
I shall tell Him lovely tales 
All day long: 

He shall laugh while mother sings 
Tales of fishermen and kings. 

He shall see them come and go 
O’er the wistful sea, 

Where rosy oleanders blow 
Round blue Lake Galilee, 

Kings with fishers’ ragged coats 
And silver nets across their boats, 
Dipping through the starry glow, 
With crowns for Him and me! 

Ah, no; 

Crowns for Him, not me! 


Rockaby so! Indeed, it seems 
A dream! Yet not like other dreams! 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 447 

V 

Ah, see what a wonderful smile again! 

Shall I hide it away in my heart, 

To remember one day in a world of pain 
When the years have torn us apart. 

Little Babe, 

When the years have torn us apart? 

Sleep, my little One, sleep. 

Child with the wonderful eyes, 

Wild miraculous eyes. 

Deep as the skies are deep! 

What star-bright glory of tears 
Waits in You now for the years 
That shall bid You waken and weep? 

Ah, in that day, could I kiss You to sleep 
Then, little lips, little eyes. 

Little lips that are lovely and wise. 

Little lips that are dreadful and wise! 

VI 

Clenched little hands like crumpled roses 
Dimpled and dear. 

Feet like flowers that the dawn uncloses, 

What do I fear? 

Little hands, will you ever be clenched in 
anguish? 

White little limbs, will you droop and languish? 

Nay, what do I hear? 

I hear a shouting, far away. 

You shall ride on a kingly palm-strewn way 
Some day! 


448 


A Book of Lullabies 

But when You are crowned with a golden crown 
And throned on a golden throne, 

You’ll forget the manger of Bethlehem town 
And your mother that sits alone 
Wondering whether the mighty King 
Remembers a song*she used to sing, 

Long ago, 

Rockaby so, 

Kings may have wonderjul jewels to bring, 
Mother has only a kiss jor her King! ” . . . 


Ah, see what a wonderful smile, once more! 

He opens His great dark eyes! 

Little child, little King, nay, hush, it is o’er. 
My fear of those deep twin skies,— 

Little Child, 

You are all too dreadful and wise! 


VII 

But now You are mine, all mine. 

And Your feet can lie in my hand so small. 
And Your tiny hands in my heart can twine. 
And You cannot walk, so You never shall fall, 
Or be pierced by the thorns beside the door. 

Or the nails that lie upon Joseph’s floor; 
Through sun and rain, through shadow and 
shine 

You are mine, all mine! 


Alfred Noyes, 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 


449 


A SONG OF MARY 

Closely to my heart I hold thee, 

0 my blessed Son! 

Safe Thy mother’s arms enfold thee, 
—Sleep, my little One! 

I will sing to Thee, my Treasure, 
Songs so low and sweet. 

Love I lay without a measure 
At Thy tender feet. 

All my soul is bowed with wonder 
Whilst my watch I keep, 

Thou hast cast its bonds asunder, 

—Sleep, my Darling, sleep! 

Soft, I’ll sing Thee lullabies, 

Jesu, Son and King! 

Listening Spirits in the skies 
Hear a mother sing! 

( 

0 great Angels of the Father 
Guard His holy Son! 

In my woman’s arms I gather 
Close this little One! 

Agnes H. Beghie. 

A LULLABY 

See how the poppies nod, 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy! 

Saying Good-night ” to God, 


450 


A Book of Lullabies 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Nestle down, little King, 

Night comes to everything. 
Calling to sleep. 

Close up those wondering eyes. 
Baby Boy, Baby Boy, 

Now all the daylight flies. 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Hush Thee, my little King! 
Mother will softly sing 
—Sing Thee to sleep. 

Sucking Thy rosy thumb. 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy, 

Swiftly the fair dreams come. 
Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Hush Thee, my little King! 
Dreamy bells dreaming ring 
—Ring Thee to sleep. 

Head with its golden crest. 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy, 

Close to my heart is prest, 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Hush Thee, my little King! 
Gabriel holy bring 
—Bring Thee sweet sleep. 

Gift of my gracious Lord, 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Crown of my soul—and sword! 


451 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Hush, hush, my King o^ kings! 

^Tis Thy blest mother sings 
—Sings Thee to sleep. 

Fears I will cast from me, 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy, 

Tears must not fall on Thee, 

Baby Boy, Baby Boy. 

Sleep, sleep, my King o’ kings 
Mary Thy mother sings 
—Sings Thee to sleep. 

Agnes H, Begbie, 


DE LI’L’ JESUS-BABY 

De li’F Jesus-baby 
Wuz cuddle’ snug en fas’ 

Ag’in’ de heaht o’ Mary 
Lak twigs o’ sarsafras 
Dat clusters in de mammy-tree 
En feels de sun go pas’. 

Mary-o’-Gawd wuz happy. 

Full o’ pra’r en res’, 

Wid li’F Jesus-baby 
A-layin’ in ’is nes’, 

His purty hannies, des lak buds, 
A-leanin’ on ’er breas’. 


452 


A Book of Lullabies 

En Mary prayed ter heab^n: 

0 mighty Holy Ghos’! 

You sont ter earth a Sabyer 
Ter lead de headless hos’— 

But firs’ You let ’im come ter me 
Whar I could lub ’im mos’.” 


En den she sung ter Jesus: 

“ Mah li’r honey-rose, 

Yer face am lak de sweettime 
W’en win’s f’om heab’n blows, 

Wid kindlin’ stars beneaf Yer lids 
Lak lightnin’s in er doze. 


De road You gotter trabel 
Am mighty ha’d ter climb, 

Wid black folks stumblin’ arter 
Lak wo’ds dat los’ deir rhyme; 
But You am come ter lead ’em on 
En sabe ’em fer all time.” 


De li’F Jesus-baby 
He listen w’ile she speak; 

Den, He wuz sech a teeny-un. 

So monst’us noo en weak, 

He on’y twink a smile at her 
En snuggle nex’ ’er cheek. 

Louise Ayres Garnett. 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 


453 


THE VIRGIN’S SLUMBER SONG 

Shoon-a-shoon, 

I sing no psalm 
Little Man 
Although I am 
Out of David’s 
House and Clann. 
Shoon-a-shoon 
I sing no psalm. 

(Hush-a-hoo, 

Blowing of pine; 
Hush-a-hoo, 

Lowing of kine: 
Hush-a-hoo, 

Though even in sleep, 

His ear can hear 

The shamrocks creep.) 

Moons and moons 
And suns galore. 

Match their gold 
On Slumber’s shore. 

With Your glittering 
Eyes that hold. 

Moons and moons 
And suns galore. 


(Hush-a-hoo, 

Oceans of earth; 
Hush-a-hoo, 

Motions of mirth: 


454 


A Book of Lullabies 

Hush-a-hoo 

Though over all, 

His ear can hear 
The planets fall.) 

O’er and o’er 
And under all, 

Every star 
Is now a ball. 

For Your little 
Hands that are 
O’er and o’er 
And under all. 

(Hush-a-hoo, 

Whirring of wings; 

Hush-a-hoo, 

Stirring of strings: 

Hush-a-hoo, 

Though in slumber deep. 

His ear can hear 
My song of sleep.) 

Francis Carlin. 


ST. BRIDE’S LULLABY 

Oh, Baby Christ, so dear to me, 
Sang Bridget Bride, 

How sweet Thou art. 

My baby dear, 

Heart of my heart. 


455 


Lullabies for the Christ-Child 

Heavy her body was with Thee, 

Mary, beloved of One in Three, 

Sang Bridget Bride. 

Mary, who bore thee, little lad; 

But light her heart was, light and glad. 
With God’s love clad. 

Sit on my knee. 

Sang Bridget Bride. 

Sit here, 

0 Baby dear. 

Close to my heart, my heart; 

For I Thy foster mother am. 

My helpless Lamb! 

O have no fear. 

Sang good St. Bride. 

None, none, 

No fear have I; 

So let me cling 
Close to Thy side, 

Whilst Thou dost sing, 

0 Bridget Bride! 

My Lord, my Prince, I sing; 

My Baby dear, my King! 

Sang Bridget Bride. 

Fiona Macleod” (William Sharp), 


THE CHILD AND THE INFANT 

CHRIST 


LULLABY 

From the Spanish 

The baby child of Mary, 

Now cradle He has none; 

His father is a carpenter, 

And he shall make Him one. 

The lady good St. Anna, 

The lord St. Joachim, 

They rock the Baby’s cradle, 

That sleep may come to Him. 

Then sleep thou too, my baby, 

My little heart so dear; 

The Virgin is beside thee. 

The Son of God is near. 

A MOTHER’S EVENING HYMN 

Sleep well, my dear, sleep safe and free; 

The holy angels are with thee. 

Who always see thy Father’s face. 

And never slumber nights nor days. 

Thou liest in down, soft every way; 

Thy Saviour lay in straw and hay; 

Thy cradle is far better drest 

Than the hard crib where He did rest. 

456 



The Child a7id the Infant Christ 457 

God make thy mother’s health increase, 

To see thee grow in strength and grace, 

In wisdom and humility. 

As infant Jesus did for thee. 

Sleep now, my dear, and take thy rest; 
And if with riper years thou’rt blest. 
Increase in wisdom, day and night. 

Till thou attain’st th’ eternal Light. 

Martin Luther. 

Translated by John Christian Jacobi. 


CRADLE HYMN 

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, 

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head. 
The stars in the bright sky looked down where 
He lay— 

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. 

The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes. 

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes. 

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! look down from the sky, 
• And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh. 

Martin Luther. 


A ROCKING HYMN 

Sweet baby, sleep; what ails my dear ; 

What ails my darling thus to cry? 
Be still, my child, and lend thine ear. 


458 


A Book of Lullabies 

To hear me sing thy lullaby. 

My pretty lamb, forbear to weep; 

Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep. 

Thou blessed soul, what canst thou fear? 

What thing to thee can mischief do? 
Thy God is now thy Father dear. 

His holy Spouse thy mother too. 

Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 
Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

Though thy conception was in sin, 

A sacred bathing thou hast had; 

And though thy birth unclean hath been, 
A blameless babe thou now art made. 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 
Be still, my dear; sweet baby, sleep. 

Whilst thus thy lullaby I sing. 

For thee great blessings ripening be; 
Thine eldest brother is a King, 

And hath a kingdom bought for thee. 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 
Be still, my babe; sweet baby, sleep. 

Sweet baby, sleep and nothing fear. 

For whosoever thee offends 
By thy protector threaten’d are, 

And God! and angels are thy friends. 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ; 
Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 


The Child and the Infant Christ 459 

When God with us was dwelling here, 

In little babes He took delight; 

Such innocents as thou, my dear! 

Are ever precious in His sight. 

Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

A little infant once was He, 

And strength in weakness then was laid 
Upon His virgin mother’s knee. 

That power to thee might be convey’d. 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

In this thy frailty and thy need. 

He friends and helpers doth prepare. 
Which thee shall cherish, clothe, and feed; 
For of thy weal they tender are. 

Sweet baby, then forbear to weep ; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

The King of kings when He was born. 

Had not so much for outward ease; 

By Him such dressings were not worn, 

Nor such-like swaddling clothes as these. 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

Within a manger lodged thy Lord! 

Where oxen lay, and asses fed ; 

Warm rooms we do to thee afford. 


460 


A Book of Lullabies 

An easy cradle or a bed. 

Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

The wants that He did then sustain, 

Have purchased wealth, my babe, for 
thee; 

And by His torments and His pain, 

Thy rest and ease secured be. 

My baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

Thou hast yet more to perfect this, 

A promise and an earnest got. 

Of gaining everlasting bliss, 

Though thou, my babe, perceiv’st it not; 
Sweet baby, then forbear to weep; 

Be still, my babe, sweet baby, sleep. 

George Wither, 


A CRADLE HYMN 

Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber. 
Holy angels guard thy bed, 

Heavenly blessings, without number. 
Gently falling on thy head. 

Sleep, my babe; thy food and raiment. 
House and home, thy friends provide; 
All without thy care or payment; 

All thy wants are well supply’d. 


The Child and the Infant Christ 461 

How much better thouVt attended 
Than the Son of God could be, 

When from heaven He descended, 

And became a child like thee! 

Soft and easy is thy cradle; 

Coarse and hard thy Saviour lay; 

When His birthplace was a stable. 

And His softest bed was hay. 

Blessed babe! what glorious features— 
Spotless fair, divinely bright! 

Must He dwell with brutal creatures? 

How could angels bear the sight? 

Was there nothing but a manger 
Cursed sinners could afford. 

To receive the heavenly stranger? 

Did they thus affront their Lord? 

Soft, my child; I did not chide thee. 

Though my song might sound too hard; 
’Tis thy mother sits beside thee. 

And her arms shall be thy guard. 

Yet to read the shameful story, 

How the Jews abused their King, 

How they served the Lord of Glory, 

Makes me angry while I sing. 

See the kinder shepherds round Him, 
Telling wonders from the sky, 

Where they sought Him, there they found 
Him, 

With His virgin mother by. 


462 


A Book of Lullabies 

See the lovely babe a-dressing; 

Lovely infant, how He smiFd! 

When He wept, the mother’s blessing 
Sooth’d and hush’d the holy child. 

Lo, He slumbers in His manger, 

Where the horned oxen fed; 

Peace, my darling, here’s no danger, 

Here’s no ox a-near thy bed. 

’Twas to save thee, child, from dying. 
Save my dear from burning flame. 

Bitter groans and endless crying. 

That thy blest Redeemer came. 

May’st thou live to know and fear Him, 
Trust and love Him all thy days; 

Then go dwell for ever near Him, 

See His face, and sing His praise! 

I could give thee thousand kisses. 

Hoping what I most desire; 

Not a mother’s fondest wishes. 

Can to greater joys aspire! 

Isaac Watts, 

A CRADLE SONG 

Sweet dreams, form a shade 
O’er my lovely infant’s head;— 

Sweet dreams of pleasant streams 
By happy, silent, moony beams. 


The Child and the Infant Christ 463 

Sweet sleep, with soft down 
Weave thy brows an infant crown. 

Sweet sleep, Angel mild, 

Hover o’er my happy child. 

Sweet smiles, in the night 
Hover over my delight;— 

Sweet smiles, mother’s smiles, 

All the livelong night beguiles. 

Sweet moans, dovelike sighs. 

Chase not slumber from thy eyes. 

Sweet moans, sweeter smiles. 

All the dovelike moans beguiles. 

Sleep, sleep, happy child. 

All creation slept and smil’d; 

Sleep, sleep, happy sleep. 

While o’er thee thy mother weep. 

Sweet babe, in thy face 
Holy image I can trace. 

Sweet babe, once like thee. 

Thy Maker lay, and wept for me. 

Wept for me, for thee, for all, 

When He was an infant small. 

Thou His image ever see. 

Heavenly face that smiles on thee. 

Smiles on thee, on me, on all; 

Who became an infant small. 

Infant smiles are His own smiles; 

Heaven and earth to peace beguiles. 

William Blake. 


464 


A Book of Lullabies 


IN A LOW ROCKING-CHAIR 

Heaven is a fine place, a fine place entirely, 

Oh, like Killarney in rose-time ’twill be. 

With Mary in a blue gown flowered like the 
meadow. 

And little Christ as like a rose 
As any rose you’d see. 

Himself is high upon a throne, but Herself sits 
a-rocking 

In a low rocking-chair, her Babe on her knee. 
Sure, now he’d go to sleep at once, and Herself 
a-crooning. 

And not lie with his eyes wide 
The way you’d treat me! 

Now fasten down your eyelids and get you gone 
a-sleeping. 

And in a little heartbeat in Heaven you’ll be. 
And when I’ve bowed to Himself, and made Her¬ 
self a curtsey. 

And kissed the little rose o’ Heaven, 

Come back along to me. 

Helen Coale Crew. 
LULLABY 

Sleep, 0 my babe, not thine a manger 
Where cradled lies thy helpless head; 

No oxen low, dear little stranger. 

And wondering stare above thy bed; 


J'he Child and the Infant Christ 465 

Thou needst not weep, 

Ah, slumber deep. 

For fond hearts wake while thou dost sleep. 
And light as dews shed from the skies 
Love shuts the violets of thine eyes; 

Not in a stall 
Lovers kisses all 

As soft as.rose-leaves on thee fall. 

James B. Kenyon. 


CRADLE-SONG 

Madonna, Madonna, 

Sat by the gray roadside. 

Saint Joseph her beside, 

And Our Lord at her breast; 

Oh they were fain to rest, 

Mary and Joseph and Jesus, 

All by the gray roadside. 

She said. Madonna Mary, 

I am hungry, Joseph, and weary. 
All in the desert wide.” 

Then bent a tall palm-tree 
Its branches low to her knee; 
Behold,” the palm-tree said. 

My fruit that shall be your bread.” 
So were they satisfied, 

Mary and Joseph and Jesus, 

All by the gray roadside. 


466 


A Book of Lullabies 

From Herod they were fled 
Over the desert wide, 

Mary and Joseph and Jesus, 

In Egypt to abide: 

Mary and Joseph and Jesus, 

In Egypt to abide. 

The blessed Queen of Heaven 
Her own dear Son hath given 
For my son’s sake; his sleep 
Is safe and sweet and deep. 

Lully . . . Lulley. . . . 

So may you sleep alway, 

My baby, my dear son: 

Amen, Amen, Amen. 

My baby, my dear son. 

Adelaide Crapsey, 

A CHILD’S SONG OF CHRISTMAS 

My counterpane is soft as silk. 

My blankets white as creamy milk. 

The hay was soft to Him, I know, 

Our little Lord of long ago. 

Above the roofs the pigeons fly 
In silver wheels across the sky. 

The stable-doves they cooed to them, 
Mary and Christ in Bethlehem. 



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The Child and the Infant Christ 467 

Bright shines the sun across the drifts, 

And bright upon my Christmas gifts. 

They brought Him incense, myrrh, and 
gold. 

Our little Lord who lived of old. 

0, soft and clear our mother sings 
Of Christmas joys and Christmas things. 
God’s holy angels sang to them, 

Mary and Christ in Bethlehem. 

Our hearts they hold all Christmas dear. 
And earth seems sweet and heaven seems 
near, 

O, heaven was in His sight, I know. 

That little Child of long ago. 

Marjorie L, C. Pickthall. 


CHRISTMAS LULLABIES 


THREE KINGS’ SONG 

The Magi came out of the Orient Land, 

Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
They rode over rock and they rode over sand, 
Right glad, then, were those three. 

And as they went riding, a Star went before. 
Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
The form of a glorious Infant it bore. 

Right glad, then, were those three. 

And when to Jerusalem city they came. 

Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
They saw not the star with its glorious flame, 
How sad, then, were those three. 

And as they were sitting at dinner one day, 

Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
An angel of heaven appeared and did say. 
Right glad, then, were those three. 

** Go, Magi, once more from the town to the 
wild,” 

Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 

** For Herod is seeking the life of the Child,” 
How sad, then, were those three. 

468 



Christmas Lullabies 


469 


But when from the city they hastened in fear, 
Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
The Star went before, shining brightly and clear, 
Right glad, then, were those three. 

They came to the stable at Bethlehem town. 
Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 
They pour’d out their treasures, and lowly 
kneel’d down. 

Right glad, then, were those three. 

For there in the stable, enthroned on the knee. 
Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie! 

Of Mary, the Virgin, Messiah they see. 

Right glad, then, were those three. 

Translated by Sabine Baring-Gould, 

A CHRISTMAS LULLABY 

The restless clock is ticking out 
The hours that go before the dawn. 

And icy moonbeams dart about 

The snow that shrouds the slumbering 
lawn,— 

The lawn that Santa Claus must cross 
Ere he shall reach my baby’s cot,— 

Ah! who shall measure Bertie’s loss 
Should Santa Claus come not! 

Sleep, softly sleep, my pretty one ; 

I hear the neighing of the steeds,— 
Good Santa Claus has just begun 
His round of kindly deeds. 


470 


A Book of Lullabies 

What has the little man for thee, 

My precious babe who slumb’rest there? 
He brings, sweet one, a gift from me, 

A mother’s love, a mother’s care,— 

A mother’s care that shall not wane. 
While hands can toil or brain can think, 
Until that day shall come again 
When thou shalt cross life’s brink. 

Sleep, softly sleep, my pretty one; 

I hear the neighing of the steeds,— 
Good Santa Claus has just begun 
His round of kindly deeds. 


He brings a cross, he brings a crown. 

And places them on either hand. 

Upon the cross thou must not frown, 

For some day thou shalt understand,— 
Shalt understand the preciousness 
That to the sombre cross pertains, 

And thou wilt hold the crown far less 
Than of the cross the pains. 

Sleep, softly sleep, my pretty one; 

I hear the neighing of the steeds,— 
Good Santa Claus has just begun 
His round of kindly deeds. 


He brings the greatest gift of all 
In bringing thee this Christmas Day: 
The deathless love it doth recall 
Of Him who took thy sins away; 


Christmas Lullabies 


471 


And when no more thy mother’s care 
Can guide thy footsteps, Baby Mine, 

Thy steps shall be secured, each where. 

By love of One divine. 

Sleep, softly sleep, my pretty one ; 

I hear the neighing of the steeds,— 
Good Santa Claus has just begun 
His round of kindly deeds. 

Arthur Weir, 

CHRISTMAS EVE 

Oh hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul, 

The evening shades are falling,— 

Hush thee, my dear, dost thou not hear 
The voice of the Master calling? 

Deep lies the snow upon the earth, 

But all the sky is ringing 

With joyous song, and all night long 
The stars shall dance with singing. 

Oh hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul, 

And close thine eyes in dreaming, 

And angels fair shall lead thee where 
The singing stars are beaming. 

A Shepherd calls His little lambs. 

And He longeth to caress them; 

He bids them rest upon His breast, 

That His tender love may bless them. 


472 


A Book of Lullabies 

So hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul, 

Whilst evening shades are falling, 

And above the song of the heavenly throng 
Thou shaft hear the Master calling. 

Eugene Field. 

A MOTHER-SONG 

Sleep, baby, sleep! The Christmas stars are 
shining. 

Clear and bright the Christmas stars climb up 
the vaulted sky; 

Low hangs the pale moon, in the west declining: 

Sleep, baby, sleep, the Christmas morn is 
nigh! 

Hush, baby, hush! For Earth her watch is 
keeping; 

Watches and waits she the angels’ song to 
hear; 

Listening for the swift rush of their wings down¬ 
sweeping, 

Joy and Peace proclaiming through the mid¬ 
night clear. 

Dream, baby, dream! The far-off chimes are 
ringing ; 

Tenderly and solemnly the music soars and 
swells; 

With soft reverberation the happy bells are 
swinging, 

While each to each responsive the same sweet 
story tells! 


Christmas Lullabies 


473 


Hark, baby, hark! Hear how the choral voices, 
All jubilantly singing, take up the glad re¬ 
frain. 

Unto you is born a Saviour,”—while heaven 
with earth rejoices, 

And all its lofty battlements reecho with the 
strain! 

Wake, baby, wake! For, lo! in floods of glory 
The Christmas Day advances over the hills 
of morn! 

Wake, baby, wake! and smile to hear the story 
How Christ, the Son of Mary, in Bethlehem 
was born! 

Julia C. R. Dorr. 
GOOD-NIGHT 

Good-night, good-night, the day is done; 
Rock, rock the cradle, little one; 

The lamp is low, and low the sun. 

Good-night! 

Good-night, good-night, the Christmas bough 
Bends to the rocking wind, and thou 
To mother’s ditty noddest now. 

Good-night! 

Good-night, good-night, the holy day 
Bring baby sweets, and sweets alway! 

Rock, rock—then, tiptoe, steal away. 

Good-night! 

Harrison S. Morris. 


EVENING PRAYERS AND HYMNS 


SONG OF THE DOVE 
From The Home ” 

There sitteth a dove, so white and fair, 

All on the lily spray; 

And she listeneth how to Jesus Christ, 

The little children pray. 

Lightly she spreads her friendly wings, 

And to heaven’s gate hath sped. 

And unto the Father in heaven she bears 
The prayers which the children said. 

And back she comes from heaven’s gate. 

And brings—that dove so mild— 

From the Father in heaven, who hears her 
speak, 

A blessing for every child. 

Then, children, lift up a pious prayer. 

It hears whatever you say. 

That heavenly dove, so white and fair. 

That sits on the lily-spray. 

Fredrika Bremer. 
Translated by Mary Howitt. 
474 




Fkum a Coplky Print. 

Copyright by Curtis & Cameron, Boston, Mass. 


NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. 
From Painting by Jessie Willcox Smith. 









A' r 


.• i ‘ 



Evening Prayers and Hymns 475 
PRAYERS 

I lay me down to rest me, 

And pray the Lord to bless me. 

If I should sleep no more to wake 
I pray the Lord my soul to take. 

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep; 

If I should die before I wake, 

I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to take. 

And this I ask for Jesus' sake. Amen, 

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep ; 

Thy love go with me all the night. 

And wake me with the morning light. 

A CHILD’S PRAYER 

Lord, teach a little child to pray. 

And oh, accept my prayer; 

Thou canst hear all the words I say. 

For Thou art everywhere. 

A little sparrow cannot fall 
Unnoticed, Lord, by Thee; 

And though I am so young and small 
Thou dost take care of me. 

Teach me to do whate’er is right, 

And when I sin, forgive; 

And make it still my chief delight. 

To serve Thee while I live. 


476 A Book of Lullabies 

A LITTLE HYMN 

God is so good that He will hear, 
Whenever children humbly pray; 

He always lends a gracious ear 
To what the youngest child can .say. 

His own most holy Book declares 
He loves good little children still; 

And that He listens to their prayers, 

Just as a tender father will. 

He will not scorn an infant tongue 
That thanks Him for His mercies given; 

And when by babes His praise is sung. 
Their cheerful songs ascend to heaven. 

Ann or Jane Taylor, 


AT EVENING 

Another day is numbered with the past; 

Another night is given us for rest; 

Father, my spirit at Thy feet I cast. 

Oh, gather it unto Thy loving breast. 

Nightly Thou sendest rest to all the earth, 
Sendest a time for silence and returning; 

0 Father! teach me all the holy worth 
Of the still hours when Thy clear stars are 
burning. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 477 

EVEN-SONG 
From the Polish 

The stars shine forth from the blue sky; 

How great and wondrous is God’s might; 
Shine, stars, through all eternity, 

His witness in the night. 

O Lord, Thy tired children keep: 

Keep us who know and feel Thy might; 
Turn Thine eye on us as we sleep. 

And give us all good-night. 

Shine, stars, God’s sentinels on high, 
Proclaimers of His power and might; 
May all things evil from us fly; 

0 stars, good-night, good-night! 

TO THE GUARDIAN ANGEL 
From the French 

Watch over me while I’m asleep. 

And, as God bids you, vigil keep; 

And every night above my head 
Bend down, dear Angel, o’er the bed. 

Have pity on my feebleness. 

Walk by my side to guard and bless; 

Talk to me all along the way, 

And, while I hearken what you say. 

Lest I should fall, help me to stand; 

I pray you, Angel, hold my hand! 

Madame Tastu. 


478 


A Book of Lullabies 

EVENING HYMN 

God, that madest Earth and Heaven, 
Darkness and light! 

Who the day for toil hast given, 

For rest the night; 

May Thine Angel guards defend us. 

Slumber sweet Thy mercy send us, 

Holy dreams and hopes attend us. 

This livelong night! 

Reginald Heber. 

EVENING HYMN FOR A CHILD 

Another day its course hath run. 

And still, 0 God, Thy child is blest; 

For Thou hast been by day my sun. 

And Thou wilt be by night my rest. 

Sweet sleep descends, my eyes to close; 
And now, when all the world is still, 

I give my body to repose. 

My spirit to my Father’s will. 

John Pierpont, 

A CHILD’S EVENING PRAYER 

Ere on my bed my limbs I lay, 

God grant me grace my prayers to say! 

0 God, preserve my mother dear 

In strength and health for many a year. 

And, 0! preserve my father too, 

And may I pay him reverence due; 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 479 

And may I my best thoughts employ 
To be my parents’ hope and joy! 

And O! preserve my brothers both 
From evil doings and from sloth, 

And may we always love each other, 

Our friends, our father, and our mother! 
And still, 0 Lord, to me impart 
An innocent and grateful heart. 

That after my last sleep I may 
Awake to Thy eternal day! Avien. 

Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 

EVENING HYMN 

I hear no voice, I feel no touch, 

I see no glory bright; 

But yet I know that God is near. 

In darkness as in light. 

He watches ever by my side. 

And hears my whispered prayer: 

The Father for hlis little child 
Both night and day doth care. 

A CHILD’S EVENING HYMN 

Shepherd Jesus, in Thy arms 
Let Thy little lamb repose. 

Safe and free from all alarms 
In the love the Shepherd shows; 

May my slumber quiet be, 

Angels watching over me! 


480 


A Book of Lullabies 

Often mother dear has told 

How the children Thou didst bless, 

And I know that in Thy fold 
All is joy and happiness: 

May my slumber quiet be, 

Angels watching over me! 

Shepherd Jesus, make Thy child 
Pure and gentle as the dew, 

Keep my spirit undefiled 
■Waking, sleeping, kind and true: 

May my slumber quiet be, 

Angels watching over me! 

George Herbert Clarke. 

THE TENDER SHEPHERD 

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me! 

Bless Thy little lamb to-night! . 
Through the darkness be Thou near me. 
Watch my sleep till morning light. 

All this day Thy hand hath led me, 

And I thank Thee for Thy care; 

Thou hast clothed me, warmed and fed me. 
Listen to my evening prayer. 

Let my sins be all forgiven; 

Bless the friends I love so well; 

Take me, when I die, to heaven, 

Happy, there, with Thee to dwell. 

Mary L. Duncan. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 481 


GENTLE JESUS, MEEK AND MILD 

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, 

Look upon a little child; 

Pity my simplicity, 

Suffer me to come to Thee. 

Fain I would to Thee be brought: 
Dearest God, forbid it not; 

Give me, dearest God, a place 
In the kingdom of Thy grace. 

Put Thy hands upon my head, 

Let me in Thine arms be stayed; 

Let me lean upon Thy breast,— 

Lull me, lull me. Lord, to rest. 

Hold m^ fast in Thy embrace. 

Let me see Thy smiling face. 

Give me. Lord, Thy blessing give; 
Pray for me, and I shall live. 

I shall live the simple life, 

Free from sin’s uneasy strife. 
Sweetly ignorant of ill. 

Innocent and happy still. 

Oh that I may never know 
What the wicked people do! 

Sin is contrary to Thee. 

Sin is the forbidden tree. 


482 


A Book of Lullabies 

Keep me from the great offense, 
Guard my helpless innocence; 

Hide me, from all evil hide, 

Self, and stubbornness, and pride. 

Lamb of God, I look to Thee ; 

Thou shalt my example be; 

Thou art gentle, meek and mild, 
Thou wast once a little child. 

Fain I would be as Thou art: 

Give me Thy obedient heart. 

Thou art pitiful and kind: 

Let me have Thy loving mind. 

Meek and lowly may I be: 

Thou art all humility. 

Let me to my betters bow: 

Subject to Thy parents Thou. 

Let me above all fulfill 
God my heavenly Father’s will; 
Never His good Spirit grieve. 

Only to His glory live. 

Thou didst live to God alone, 

Thou didst never seek Thine own; 
Thou Thyself didst never please, 
God was all Thy happiness, 

Loving Jesu, gentle Lamb, 

In Thy gracious hands I am; 

Make me, Saviour, what Thou art ; 
Live Thyself within my heart! 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 483 

I shall then show forth Thy praise; 

Serve Thee all my happy days; 

Then the world shall always see 
Christ, the Holy Child, in me. 

Charles Wesley. 

A CHILD’S PRAYER 

God, make my life a little light 
Within the world to glow; 

A little flame that burneth bright. 
Wherever I may go. 

God, make my life a little flower 
That giveth joy to all. 

Content to bloom in native bower. 
Although the place be small. 

God, make my life a little song 
That comforteth the sad; 

That helpeth others to be strong. 

And makes the singer glad. 

God, make my life a little staff 
Whereon the weak may rest. 

That so what health and strength I have 
May serve my neighbors best. 

God, make my life a little hymn 
Of tenderness and praise; 

Of faith—that never waxeth dim, 

In all His wondrous ways. 

Matilda B. Edwards. 


*484 


A Book of Lullabies 


EVENING HYMN 

Now the day is over, 

Night is drawing nigh, 

Shadows of the evening 
Steal across the sky. 

Now the darkness gathers, 

Stars begin to peep, 

Birds, and beasts, and flowers 
Soon will be asleep. 

Jesu, give the weary 
Calm and sweet repose; 

With Thy tenderest blessing 
May our eyelids close. 

Grant to little children 
Visions bright of Thee; 

Guard the sailors tossing 
On the deep blue sea. 

Comfort every sufferer 
Watching late in pain; 

Those who plan some evil. 

From their sin restrain. 

Through the long night-watches 
May Thine angels spread 

Their white wings above me. 
Watching round my bed. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 485 

When the morning wakens, 

Then may I arise 
Pure, and fresh, and sinless 
In Thy holy eyes. 

Glory to the Father, 

Glory to the Son, 

And to Thee, Blest Spirit, 

While all ages run. 

Sabine Baring-Gould, 

AN EVENING HYMN 

Lord, I have passed another day. 

And come to thank Thee for Thy care; 

Forgive my faults in work and play. 

And listen to my evening prayer. 

Thy favor gives me daily bread. 

And friends, who all my wants supply; 

And safely now I rest my head, 

Preserved and guarded by Thine eye. 

Look down in pity, and forgive 
Whatever IVe said or done amiss; 

And help me, every day I live, 

To serve Thee better than on this. 

Now, while I speak, be pleased to take 
A helpless child beneath Thy care; 

And condescend, for Jesus^ sake, 

To listen to my evening prayer. 

Ann or Jane Taylor, 


486 


A Booh of Lullabies 

THE SHEPHERD BOY’S SONG 

He that is down needs fear no fall; 

He that is low no pride; 

He that is humble ever shall 
Have God to be his Guide. 

I am content with what I have, 

Little be it or much; 

And, Lord, contentment still I crave. 
Because Thou savest such. 

Fulness to such a burden is. 

That go on pilgrimage; 

Here little, and hereafter bliss. 

Is best from age to age. 

John Bunyan, 

THE GOOD SHEPHERD 

Kind Shepherd, see, Thy little lamb 
Comes very tired to Thee; 

0 fold me in Thy loving arms, 

And smile on me. 

I’ve wander’d from Thy fold to-day. 

And could not hear Thee call; 

And 0! I was not happy then. 

Nor glad at all. 

I want, dear Saviour, to be good, 

And follow close to Thee, 

Through flowery meads and pastures green 
And happy be. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 487 

Thou kind, good Shepherd, in Thy fold 
I evermore would keep. 

In morning’s light or evening’s shade, 

And while I sleep. 

But now, dear Jesus, let me lay 
My head upon Thy breast; 

I am too tired to tell Thee more. 

Thou know’st the rest. 

H. P. Hawkins, 

FATHER, HEAR THY CHILDREN 

Father, hear Thy children. 

When they cry to Thee, 

Praying night and morning 
At their mother’s knee. 

Saviour, ever pleading 
For the human race. 

Plead for little children 
At the throne of grace. 

Holy Spirit, filling 
Human hearts with love, 

Guide the little children 
To their home above. 

Father, Son, and Spirit, 

Ever watch and keep, 

Like a careful Shepherd, 

These Thy little sheep. 


A.G. 


488 


A Book of Lullabies 

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER 

Loving looks the large-eyed cow, 
Loving stares the long-eared ass 
At Heaven’s glory in the grass! 

Child, with added human birth 
Come to bring the child of earth 
Glad repentance, tearful mirth. 

And a seat beside the hearth 
At the Father’s knee— 

Make us peaceful as thy cow; 

Make us patient as thine ass; 

Make us quiet as thou art now; 

Make us strong as thou wilt be. 

Make us always know and see 
We are His, as well as thou. 

George MacDonald. 

A PRAYER 

Teach me. Father, how to go 
Softly as the grasses grow; 

Hush my soul to meet the shock 
Of the wild world as a rock; 

But my spirit, propt with power. 
Make as simple as a flower. 

Let the dry heart All its cup, 

Like a poppy looking up; 

Let life lightly wear her crown, 

Like a poppy looking down, 

When its heart is filled with dew, 

And its life begins anew. 




THE INFANT SAMUEL. 

From Pdinting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. 





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Evening Prayers and Hymns 489 

Teach me, Father, how to be 
Kind and patient as a tree. 

Joyfully the crickets croon 
Under shady oak at noon; 

Beetle, on his mission bent. 

Tarries in that cooling tent. 

Let me, also, cheer a spot. 

Hidden field or garden grot— 

Place where passing souls can rest 
On the way and be their best. 

Edwin Markham. 

A CHILD’S EVENING HYMN 

0 Lord, Who, when Thy cross was nigh. 
Didst wake and pray as night went by, 

Thy gentle sleep like dew once more 
Upon my head I pray Thee pour. 

One little heap of days for me 
Is measured out by God’s decree; 

And one day from that little heap 
Is gone as I lie down to sleep. 

And I know not how soon the tale 
Of my few days and short may fail;— 

0 God, whene’er!—for Thy dear Son, 

Me, even me, have mercy on! 

0 strange, that as I kneel and pray. 

He from His throne hears all I say! 

—Give me but what for me is best:— 

This is enough: Thou know’st the rest. 


490 


A Book of Lullabies 

O sleepless Shepherd of the sheep, 

Now fold me in, and bid me sleep: 

From evil safe, and night’s alarms. 
Nursed in Thine everlasting arms. 

Francis Turner Palgrave, 

GOING TO BED AT NIGHT 

Receive my body, pretty bed; 

Soft pillow, 0 receive my head. 

And thanks, my parents kind. 

For comforts you for me provide; 

Your precepts still shall be my guide, 
Your love I’ll keep in mind. 

My hours misspent this day I rue, 

My good things done, how very few! 

Forgive my faults, 0 Lord; 

This night, if in Thy grace I rest. 
To-morrow may I rise refreshed, 

To keep Thy holy word. 

Adelaide O’Keeffe, 

A LITTLE CHILD’S HYMN 

Thou that once, on mother’s knee, 
Wert a little one like me. 

When I wake or go to bed. 

Lay Thy hands about my head; 

Let me feel Thee very near, 

Jesus Christ, our Saviour dear. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 491 

Be beside me in the light, 

Close by me through all the night ; 
Make me gentle, kind, and true. 

Do what mother bids me do ; 

Help and cheer me when I fret, 

And forgive when I forget. 

Once wert Thou in cradle laid. 

Baby bright in manger-shade. 

With the oxen and the cows. 

And the lambs outside the house: 

Now Thou art above the sky; 

Canst Thou hear a baby cry? 

Thou art nearer when we pray. 

Since Thou art so far away; 

Thou my little hymn wilt hear, 

Jesus Christ, our Saviour dear. 

Thou that once, on mother’s knee, 

Wert a little one like me. 

Francis Turner Palgrave. 

EX ORE INFANTIUM ” 

Little Jesus, wast Thou shy 
Once, and just so small as I? 

And what did it feel like to be 
Out of Heaven, and just like me? 

Didst Thou sometimes think of there, 

And ask where all the angels were? 

I should think that I would cry 
For my house all made of sky; 


492 


A Book of Lullabies 

I would look about the air, 

And wonder where my angels were; 

And at waking 'twould distress me— 

Not an angel there to dress me! 

Hadst Thou ever any toys, 

Like us little girls and boys? 

And didst Thou play in Heaven with all 
The angels that were not too tall, 

With stars for marbles? Did the things 
Play Can you see mef through their wings? 
And did Thy Mother let Thee spoil 
Thy robes, with playing on our soil? 

How nice to have them always new 
In Heaven, because Hwas quite clean blue! 
Didst Thou kneel at night to pray. 

And didst Thou join Thy hands, this way? 
And did they tire sometimes, being young. 
And make the prayer seem very long? 

And dost Thou like it best, that we. 

Should join our hands to pray to Thee? 

I used to think, before I knew. 

The prayer not said unless we do. 

And did Thy Mother at the night 
Kiss Thee, and fold the clothes in right? 
And didst Thou feel quite good in bed, 
Kissed, and sweet, and Thy prayers said? 
Thou canst hot have forgotten all 
That it feels like to be small: 

And Thou know’st I cannot pray 
To Thee in my Father’s way— 

When Thou wast so little, say. 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 493 

Couldst Thou talk Thy Father’s way?— 

So, a little Child come down 

And hear a child’s tongue like Thy own; 

Take me by the hand and walk, 

And listen to my baby-talk. 

To Thy Father show my prayer 
(He will look. Thou art so fair). 

And say: “ Lo, Father, I, Thy Son, 

Bring the prayer of a little one.” 

And He will smile, that children’s tongue 
Has not changed since Thou wast young! 

Francis Thompson. 


EVENING HYMN 

Thou, from whom we never part; 

Thou, whose love is everywhere; 
Thou, who seest every heart,— 
Listen to our evening prayer. 

Father, fill our souls with love,— 
Love unfailing, full, and free; 
Love no injury can move; 

Love that ever rests on thee. 

Heavenly Father! through the night 
Keep us safe from every ill: 
Cheerful as the morning light, 

May we wake to do Thy will. 


R. W. 


494 


A Book of Lullabies 


AN EVENING PRAYER 

Before I close my eyes in sleep, 

Lord, hear my evening prayer. 

And deign a helpless child to keep 
With Thy protecting care. 

Though young in years, I have been taught 
Thy name to love and fear. 

Of Thee to think with solemn thought. 
Thy goodness to revere. 

That goodness gives each simple flower 
Its scent and beauty too; 

And feeds it in night’s darkest hour 
With heaven’s refreshing dew. 

Nor will Thy mercy less delight 
The infant’s God to be. 

Who, through the darkness of the night. 
For safety trusts to Thee. 

The little birds that sing all day 
In many a leafy wood. 

By Thee are clothed in plumage gay. 

By Thee supplied with food. 

And when at night they cease to sing, 

By Thee protected still, 

Their young ones sleep beneath their wing. 
Secure from every ill. 


495 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 

Thus mayst Thou guard with gracious arm 
The bed whereon I lie, 

And keep a child from every harm 
By Thine all-watchful eye. 

For night and day to Thee are one; 

The helpless are Thy care; 

And, for the sake of Thy dear Son, 

Thou hearest my childish prayer. 

Bernard Barton. 


EVENING HYMN 

Now the sun has passed away 
With the golden light of day. 

Now the little stars on high 
Twinkle in the mighty sky. 

Father merciful and mild, 

Listen to Thy little child. 

Loving Father, put away 
All things wrong IVe done to-day; 
Make me gentle, true, and good; 
Make me love Thee as I should; 
Make me feel by day and night 
I am ever in Thy sight. 

Heavenly Father, hear my prayer; 
Take Thy child into Thy care; 

Let Thy angels good and bright 
Watch around me through the night. 


496 


A Book of Lullabies 

Keep me now, and, when I die. 
Take me to the glorious sky: 
Father merciful and mild. 
Listen to Thy little child. 


A CHILD’S PRAYER AT EVENING 

{Doinine, cui sunt Pleiades curae) 

Father, who keepest 
The stars in Thy care. 

Me, too. Thy little one. 

Childish in prayer. 

Keep, as Thou keepest 
The soft night through. 

Thy long, white lilies 
Asleep in Thy dew. 

Charles G, D. Roberts, 


THE CHILD’S DESIRE 

I think, when I read that sweet story of old. 
When Jesus was here among men, 

How He called little children as lambs to His fold, 
I should like to have been with Him then. 

I wish that His hands had been placed on my 
head. 

That His arm had been thrown around me, 

And that I might have seen His kind look when 
He said. 

Let the little ones come unto Me.” 


Evening Prayers and Hymns 497 

Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, 
And ask for a share of His love; 

And if I thus earnestly seek Him below, 

I shall see Him and hear Him above; 

In that beautiful place He is gone to prepare. 
For all who are washed and forgiven; 

And many dear children are gathering there. 
For of such is the kingdom of heaven/’ 

But thousands and thousands who wander and 
fall. 

Never heard of that beautiful home; 

I should like them to know there is room for them 
all. 

And that Jesus has bid them to come. 

I long for the joy of that glorious time, 

The sweetest, the brightest, the best. 

When the dear little children of every clime 
Shall crowd to His arms and be blest. 

Mrs. Luke. 


GOOD-NIGHT PRAYER FOR A LITTLE 

CHILD 

Father, unto Thee I pray. 

Thou hast guarded me all day; 

Safe I am while in Thy sight. 

Safely let me sleep to-night. 


498 


A Book of Lullabies 

Bless my friends, the whole world bless, 
Help me to learn helpfulness; 

Keep me ever in Thy sight: 

So to all I say Good-night. 

Henry Johnstone. 


AN EVENING HYMN FOR A LITTLE 

FAMILY 

Now condescend, Almighty King, 

To bless this little throng; 

And kindly listen while we sing 
Our pleasant evening song. 

We come to own the power Divine 
That watches o’er our days; 

For this our feeble voices join 
In hymns of cheerful praise. 

Before Thy sacred footstool, see 
We bend in humble prayer, 

A happy little family. 

To ask Thy tender care. 

May we in safety sleep to-night, 

From every danger free. 

Because the darkness and the light 
Are both alike to Thee. 

Ann or Jane Taylor. 


NOTES 


Page 1. “ Bee baw babby lou ” is probably a cor¬ 

ruption of the French nurse’s threat: ''He has! la 
le loup! ** “Hush! there’s the wolf.” This rhyme 
and “ Bee baw bunting ” are both from “ Gammer 
Gurton’s Garland, or, The Nursery Parnassus; a 
Choice Collection of Pretty Songs and Verses for the 
Amusement of All Little Good Children Who Can 
Neither Read Nor Run.” The original edition has 
been ascribed, but not with certainty, to 1760. Ac¬ 
cording to Sir Harris Nicholas, it appeared in the 
year 1783, “ one of the most prolific of Ritson’s 
pen.” It was a great favorite and was reprinted 
many times. It had a rival, however, in “Mother 
Goose’s Melody,” published by John Newbery about 
1760. This collection is divided into two parts, the 
first of which contains “ the most celebrated Songs 
and Lullabies of the old British Nurses, calculated to 
amuse Children and to excite them to Sleep.” The 
title seems to have been derived from the French. 
The Mother Goose variant of “ Bee baw babby lou ” is 

Hush a by baby on the tree top, 

When the wind blows the cradle will rock, 

When the bough breaks the cradle will fall, 

Down tumbles baby, cradle and all. 

The editor of the collection, believed to be Oliver 
Goldsmith, adds the pertinent reflection, “ This may 
serve as a warning to the proud and ambitious, who 
climb so high that they generally fall at last.” 

A variant of “ Bee baw bunting ” is given in “ The 
Only True Mother Goose Melodies,” published in 
1833 by Munroe & Francis, republished in 1905 by 
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Company: 

499 


500 


Notes 


Bye, baby bunting, 

Father’s gone a hunting, 

Mother’s gone a milking, 

Sister’s gone a silking, 

And brother’s gone to buy a skin. 

To wrap the baby bunting in. 

A more common version is the following: 

Bye, baby bunting, 

Daddy’s gone a-hunting, ^ 

To get a little rabbit-skin. 

To wrap his baby bunting in. 

“ Rock-a-bye, baby.” Compare the two following 
lines from a French nursery rhyme as rendered into 
English by L. Edna Walter: 

Papa is a knight, with armour so bright. 

Mama is a queen, in her dresses of green. 

“ Hush thee, my baby.” In English versions the 
first line generally reads: “ Hush thee, m}^ babby,” 
and the last line, “ And so, my dear babby, lie still.” 
Another variant is as follows: 

Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy, 

Thy mammy has gone to the mill, 

To get some wheat, to make some meat, 

So pray, my dear baby, lie still. 

In “ The Only True Mother Goose Melodies,” the 
third line is varied, “ To get some meal to bake a 
cake.” 

Page 2. The little lullaby of Thomas Dekker is 
from “ Patient Grissil.” 

Page 3. The Italian and Corsican rhymes are 
from an article on “ Italian Cradle-Songs ” by E. C. 
Vansittart, which appeared in the Gentleman's Maga¬ 
zine. Very similar to the first is the following: 

If mother but knew how. 

In golden bands she’d swathe thee, 

If mother but knew how. 

In golden hose she’d clothe thee! 


Notes 


501 


Page 4. The East Indian rhyme is from “ The 
Life and Times of Mrs. Sherwood.” This was the 
song sung to her baby boy by his native nurse. 
The words and the music became so familiar to Mrs. 
Sherwood that, in after years, she says, “ I sang 
them to every little one who rested on my knee.” 

Additional hush rhymes will be found under the 
heading “ Folk Lullabies ” in other sections of the 
book. 

Page 5. “ Give me thy hand ” is from the 

article by E. C. Vansittart. “ Lullaby, Sweet 
Lullaby ” is from “ Essays in the Study of Folk- 
Songs ” by the Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco. 
“ The ever-marvellous baby is represented not only 
as the glory of its mother, but also as the light even 
of its most distant connections.” 

Pages 6-T. The Sicilian lullabies are from “ Es¬ 
says in the Study of Folk-Songs.” In the first. 
Sleep acts the part of questioner. The second con¬ 
sists chiefly of blandishments but ends in a prayer. 
The third contains a reference to the “ house women,” 
who are supposed to inhabit every house in which a 
fire burns. If offended they revenge themselves on 
the children; but if they ‘‘ are amiably disposed, they 
make the sleeping child smile, after the fashion of 
angels in other parts of the world.” The original 
of “ Lullaby, child of the Madonna ” is in ‘‘ Folk- 
Songs of Italy ” by Rachel H. Busk. 

Page 8. “ Hush! lulla, lullaby ” is from ‘‘ Es¬ 

says in the Study of Folk-Songs.” The Greek rhyme 
is quoted in an article on lullabies by Laura A. Smith. 

Page 9. “ My baby is sleeping ” is from 

“ Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes,” by Isaac T. Head¬ 
land. 

Page 11. “ Mo cheann han beag ” is pronounced 

Mo chan bawn beg. The expression is used as a 


502 


Notes 


term of endearment; but the literal meaning is 
“ little white head.” “ Mo mhuirnin ceann han 
heagt* pronounced Mavourneen kawn bawn beg, is 
“ my darling little white or fair head.” 

Page 14. The authorship of this poem is uncer¬ 
tain. It has been attributed to Frank E. Holliday 
and also to S. B. McManus. 

Page 15. Among the modern poems which dwell 
upon the baby’s charms is the “ Armenian Lullaby ” 
of Eugene Field. Here the child is the mother’s 
“ mulberry one,” her “ golden sun,” and her “ own 
pomegranate blossom.” See also the cradle songs 
of Blake and Swinburne on pages 26 and 27. The 
mother’s song on page 69 also contains pretty en¬ 
dearments ; and similar expressions illustrating 
motherly love and pride will be found in many other 
poems. 

Page 18. The Sardinian lullaby is from “ Essays 
in the Study of Folk-Songs.” Its distinguishing 
feature is the interjection. As in the French folk 
lullaby, “ Fais dodo,” the singer is the little sister. 
Mr. Headland is the translator of the Chinese nursery 
rhvme. 

Page 20. “ Prince Lucifer ” is a philosophic poem 

in dramatic form with its scene in a mountain valley 
of the Alps. This is the song which Eve, the shep¬ 
herdess, sings to her baby. 

Page 23. It is to be regretted that Paul Lau¬ 
rence Dunbar’s lullaby, “ Bedtime’s Come Fu’ Little 
Boys,” could not be included here. It is a good ex¬ 
ample of the negro dialect poem and one of the best 
of the numerous lullabies w^ritten by Mr. Dunbar. 
Some of the others are, “ The Sand-Man,” “ The 
Plantation Child’s Lullaby,” “ The Fisher Child’s 
Lullaby,” and “ The Farm Child’s Lullaby.” An¬ 
other poem in the negro dialect, whose theme is the 


Notes 


503 


child who has played all day and is “ jes’ tiahd out,” 
is “ Honey-Bug Baby ” by Kmma C. Dulaney. 
“ Mr. Dream-Maker,” by Samuel Minturn Peck, is 
also a lullaby for the child tired of play, in this 
case, for the “ little lassie.” 

Page 26. The text is that of the Oxford edition of 
Blake’s “ Poetical Works.” The other poems by 
Blake also follow this standard text which is edited 
by John Sampson. 

Page 36. A negro dialect poem which is ad¬ 
dressed to the sleeping child will be found in “ Fifty 
Years, and Other Poems,” by James Weldon John¬ 
son. It is called “ De Little Pickaninny’s Gone to 
Sleep.” 

Page 37. Only the first stanza of this folk lullaby 
appears in “ Gammer Gurton’s Garland.” The lines 
are as follows: 


Danty baby diddy, 

What can mammy do wid’e, 

But sit in a lap, 

An give km a pap, 

Sing danty baby diddy. 

Page 38. Most Roumanian lullabies begin and 
end with the slumber-suggesting word, “ nani-nani.** 
“ Lullaby, my little one ” is said to be a Gypsy 
song from the lips of a Tzigani mother. The second 
stanza contains a reference to the belief in enchant¬ 
ments and the efficacy of charms. The lullaby is also 
to be found in “ Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs ” 
with a slight variation in text. 

Paffe 39. The Corsican lullaby is from “ Essays 
in the Study of Folk-Songs.” The author comments: 

The whole genius of [the] people [of Corsica] 
seems to have passed [into this ninna-nanna^. The 
village fetesy with dancing and music, the flocks and 
herds and sheep-dogs, even the mountains, stars, and 


504 


Notes 


sea, and the perfumed air off the macchi^ come back 
to the traveller in that island as he reads [the 
poem].” 

Page 42. “ Bai-ush-ki-hayu.^* Literally, “ clap 

hands; ” really used as a lullaby expression.— Trans¬ 
lator's note. 

Page 43. “ The Highland Balou.” Stenhouse 

states that this is a “ versification bv Burns of a 
Gaelic nursery song, the literal import of which, as 
well as the air, were communicated to him by a High¬ 
land lady.” Eugene Field’s “ Bambino ” is akin in 
spirit. It is from a Sicilian folk-song and is an in¬ 
teresting example of this type. The lullaby is sup¬ 
posed to be sung by the grandmother and the boy 
is to become a mighty bandit and avenge the deadly 
wrong which had brought disaster to his race. The 
refrain “ ninria and anninia ” is similar to that of 
the Sardinian lullaby on page 18. 

Page 44. Dalta. Foster-child. Muim: nurse.- 

Page 45. “ Cadul gu lo." Sleep on till day. 

Page 46. “ Hushaby, Darling.” “ Relics of an 

old Lochaber lullaby.” 

Page 47. A different translation of the “ Cos¬ 
sack Cradle-Song ” will be found in Current Litera¬ 
ture for 1902. Compare also the Russian song on 
page 41. 

Page 52. There is a pretty French folk-song 
which brings out this thought of the child’s future: 

Little foot, little rosy foot, 

When thou comest to walk one day, 

Who knows what will be thy way? 

The French original and an English translation 
will be found in “ From Isles of the West,” by Grace 
Warrack. 

Page 55. The contrast between the joyous inno¬ 
cence of the child and the burdens and sorrows of 



Notes 


505 


later life is also emphasized in the “ Cradle Song ” 
of Victor Hugo on page 32. 

Page 59. James Whitcomb Riley’s “ Lullaby ” in 
“ Pipes o’ Pan ” is different in type; but the love of 
the mother which endures as long as life itself is the 
leading thought. 

Page 60. From “ Bards of the Gael and Gall.” 
The original, which is supposed to be of great an¬ 
tiquity, is said to be from Bunting’s “ Ancient Music 
of Ireland.” 

Page 69. According to Mr. Sabine Baring- 
Gould, this is a West of England lullab 3 ^ “ The 
fish in the well is a purely Celtic conception. It is 
the mystic fish that never dies.” 

Page 70. The Breton folk lullaby is included in 
“ Studies in Folk-Song and Popular Poetry,” by A. 
M. Williams. The following cradle song from 
Transylvania is similar in spirit: 

Nani-nani, little treasure, 

Sleep, dear angel, near thy mother. 

For mother will rock thee. 

And mother will clasp thee. 

And mother will sing thee 
Nani-nani, nani-na. 

Page 71. “Drowsily hum,” “ Duru, duru,” and 
“ Hope of m}^ heart,” are literal translations by Miss 
E. C. Vansittart. 

Page 81. “Hushaby” is from “The Mother’s 
Nursery Songs,” published in 1848. The object of 
this little book was “ to aid mothers in attuning the 
voices of their infant offspring and inspiring them 
with the love of vocal music.” The first section con¬ 
sists of lullabies for general use and for special oc¬ 
casions. One is for a child dangerously ill and an¬ 
other is for a fatherless child. 

Page 83. “Lullaby,” by Mrs. Follen, is from 
“ Little Songs,” published in 1856. It is sometimes 
attributed in collections to Jane Jajfior. 


506 


Notes 


Page 90. Good-Night ” is from “ Rhymes for 
the Nursery,” published in 1806. The poems are 
not allocated to their respective authors as in 
“ Original Poems for Infant Minds ”; but this lullaby 
is usually accredited to Jane Taylor. The practice, 
however, of attributing poems to Jane instead of to 
her sister seems to have become common at an early 
date; for in her “ Autobiography,” Ann Taylor, who 
became Mrs. Gilbert, remarks: “ We were perhaps 
rather sought after as ‘ clever girls ’ . . . and 

of the two ... I seemed to be generally ac¬ 
cepted as the cleverest. The mistake has been recti¬ 
fied by the public since, and indeed, so as to swing 
a little beyond the mark, attributing to her many 
productions that are really mine. Publishers have 
frequently given a convenient wink, and announced 
‘ by Jane Taylor,’ when ‘ Ann Taylor ’ was the guilty 
person. Dear Jane never needed to steal, while I 
could not afford to lose.” 

Page 92. The libretto for “ Erminie ” is bv Clax- 
son Bellamy and Harry Paulton; the music is by 
Eduard Jakobowski. 

Page 93. From “ Irish Poems.” The original is 
in Petrie’s “ Ancient Music of Ireland.” 

Page 100. The words have been spelled in the 
usual ipanner. The original is in the Dorset dialect. 

Page 101. “ Amantium Irae” is from “ The Para- 

dyse of Dainty Devises,” 1576. 

Pages 105-106. The Sicilian and Venetian songs 
are from the article by Miss E. C. Vansittart. 

Page 107. “ Foolish Wide Eyes.” Compare the 

following: 


Nene, petite; 

Sainte Marguerite, 

Endormez moi mon enfant, 
Jusqu’ a I’age de quinze ans. 


Notes 


507 


The older folk-songs contain curious survivals of 
ancient customs and beliefs and it is claimed that 
the words nend, nono, nenna, som-som^ found in the 
lullabies of southern France, are pagan invocations 
to sleep. 

Page 108. Santa Maria. St. Marina, the Alex¬ 
andrian martyr. This version is from “ The Songs 
of Greece.” A prose rendering is given in “ Essays 
in the Study of Folk-Songs.” 

Page 109. This thought of the protection of the 
Heavenly Father is beautifully expressed by Norah 
M. Holland in her Cradle Song ”: 

God, His watch above you keeping, 

Guard your sleeping. 

Husheen lo! 

Hushcen lo! 

This and other lullabies will be found in her 
“ When Half Gods Go, and Other Poems.” 

Page 110. Attributed to Dr. H. H. Jessup of 
Beirut. 

Page 113. Said to be a Roman folk-song. The 
translation is by Dr. Theo Baker. 

Page 115. Lennavan-mo. My child. 

Page 121. Irish Gaelic. See also Eugene Field’s 
“ Oh, Little Child ” with its reference to “ Mary 
mild,” who kisses the face of the little one. 

Page 123. The traditional Irish lullabies and the 
modern cradle songs by Irish writers are generally of 
great beauty; so it is not surprising to find Kath¬ 
arine Tynan, in her “ Irish Harp,” placing the 
mother’s song of rest above the music of youth and 
of love: 

As • drone of bees in the lily’s blossom 
The song of sleep on the mother’s bosom. 

Sweeter than songs of silver and gold 
The song of sleep in her tender hold. 


508 


Notes 


Page 128. The idea of the watching angels is 
particularly widespread and numerous references to 
them will be found among the lullabies classed in 
other groups. Among the cradle songs not included 
in this collection which refer to the guardianship of 
angels is a Flemish song, beginning 

Sleep, laddie, sleep. 

May angels round you keep. 

The English version with music is included in 
“ Nursery Rhymes of Belgium, France and Russia,” 
by L. Edna Walter. 

Christina Rossetti sa^^s: 

Angels at the foot. 

And angels at the head. 

And like a curly little lamb. 

My pretty babe in bed. 

Paul Laurence Dunbar, in his ‘‘ Kiver up yo’ 
haid, my little lady,” refers to the angels who 
are “ keepin’ off de Bad Man in de night.” Refer¬ 
ences to the guardian angels and saints are also found 
in many prayers. 

Page 129. ‘‘ Lullaby and good-night.” The 

German original, which has been set to music by 
Brahms, is as follows: 

Guten Abend, gut’ Nacht, 

Mit Rosen bedacht, 

Mit Niig’lein besteckt, 

Schlupf unter die Deck’; 

Morgen friih, wenn Gott will, 

Wirst du wieder geweckt. 

Guten Abend, gut* Nacht, 

Von Eng’lein bewacht, 

Die Zeigen im Traum, 

Dir Christ-kind-lein’s Baum. 

Schlaf’ nun selig und siiss, 

Schau’ im Traum s’ Paradies. 


Notes 


509 


Other translations are given, with music, in “ Every 
Child’s Folk Songs and Games,” by Carolyn S. 
Bailey and in “ The New Educational Music Course.” 

Page 130. The Moor, as the term is used in this 
Spanish folk-song, is a harmless sort of bogey who 
takes the place of the Scottish “ wee Willie Winkie.” 
These Spanish angels take flight if they see the baby 
weep; but in the German song they dry the child’s 
tears. In the cradle song of Victor hlugo, it is the 
attendant angel who weeps, knowing all the future, 
and he kisses the child’s hands with tears. In 
“ Baloo, My Bairnie,” the angel sings to the child. 

Page 131. There are several English versions of 
this favorite German song. The translation of C. 
G. Leland commences: 

Sleep, little darling, an angel art thou! 

Sleep, while I’m brushing the flies from your brow. 

This will be found in “ Essays in the Study of 
Folk-Songs.” Another well known version has the 
opening lines: 

Sleep, my heart’s darling, in slumber repose; 

Let the fair lids those blue eyes now close. 

The German text is as follows: 

Schlaf’, Herzenssohnehen ! Mein Liebling bist du. 

Thue die blauen Guck-augelein zu! 

Alles ist ruhig und still wie im Grab; 

Schlaf’ nur ich wehre die Fliegen dir ab. 

Engel von Himmel so lieblich wie du, 

Schweben urn’s Bettchen und lacheln dir zu; 

Spater zwar steigen sie auch noch herab, 

Aber sie trocknen nur Tranen dir ab. 

Jetzt noch, mein Sohnehen, ist goldene Zeit; 

Spater, ach spater ist’s nimmer wie heut’; 

Stellen erst Sorgen urn’s Lager sich her, 

Sohnehen, dann schlaft sich’s so ruhig nicht mehr. 


510 


Notes 


Schla£’,Herzenss6hnchen ! und kommt glelch die Nacht, 
Sitzt doch die Mutter am Bettchen und wacht; 

Sei es so spat auch und sei es so friih; 

Mutter-lieb’, Herzchen entschlummert doch nie! 

Both this and the Bohemian cradle song on page 
135 refer to the sorrows of life and to the mother’s 
love and watchful care as well as to the angels who 
smile upon the child. In “ As a Blossom Sweet and 
Rosy,” the child’s beaming face is attributed to a 
vision of his angel smiling through the open door of 
heaven. 

Page 137. In this poem, and also in “ Bye, Baby, 
Night Is Come,” and in “ Sleep, Robin, Sleep,” the 
reference to the angels takes the form of a prayer. 
In Sidney Lanier’s “ Baby Charley,” there is an in¬ 
vocation to the Sleep-Angel, 

throned now 

On the round glory of his brow. 

Page 141. Referring to “ The Angel’s Whisper,” 
the author says: “ A superstition of great beauty 
prevails in Ireland that when a child smiles in its 
sleep it is talking with angels.” The idea, however, 
seems to be prevalent elsewhere as well as in Ireland; 
and references to this belief will be found, not only 
in several other poems in this group, but also in the 
poem by Richard C. Trench, “ To an Infant Sleep¬ 
ing,” in Lachlan Macbean’s “ Hushab}'^, Darling,” 
in Thomas Miller’s “ The Mother to Her Infant,” 
and in other selections. In some lullabies the angel 
kisses the child. According to Eugene Field, 

angels came and kisst the dearie smiling 
• In dreems while him hys moder ben beguiling 
With “ lolly, lolly, lollyby.” 

The idea that the baby’s dreams are woven by the 
angel watchers is a pretty thought and another 


Notes 


511 


pretty fancy is that the child is awakened by the kiss 
or the touch of the angel. In “ Where Shall the 
Baby’s Dimple Be? ” by J. G. Holland, the dimple 
is represented as the impression of the angel’s finger. 

Page 149. “ Bye, Baby, Birds Are Sleeping,” 

and “ Bye, Baby, Night Has Come ” in “ St. Nich¬ 
olas Songs ” are almost identical, although there are 
some variations in the text. 

Page 153. An interesting Mexican lullaby in¬ 
cluded in “ Little Light,” by Ruth Gaines, refers to 
the holy voices singing and to blest Saint Anthony 
who “ leaneth down in love.” 

Page 155. Nature analogies seem to rise spon¬ 
taneously in the mind of the mother singing her child 
to rest and so the lullaby world is a land of animals 
and birds, of trees and flowers. So common are 
these comparisons that a large number of the poems 
grouped elsewhere might with equal appropriateness 
have been considered nature lullabies. 

Page 157. The French song with its reference to 
the angel which passes at nightfall is as follows: 

II est tard, Tange a passe, 

Le jour a deja baisse; 

Et Ton n’ entend pour tout bruit 
Que le ruisseau qui s’enfuit. 

Endors toi, 

Mon fils! c’est moi. 

II est tard et ton ami, 

L'oiseau bleu, s’est endormi. 

Page 161. A pretty “ Slumber-Song,” by James 
Whitcomb Riley, which personifies the twilight, may 
be found in his “ Armazindy.” 

Page 163. One stanza has been omitted. 

Page 167. In the well-known “Slumber-Song” 
of E. O. Cooke, the sun goes to bed like the king 
in a stor}^ the wind sings to the rushes, and the katy- 


512 


Notes 


dids call good-night. Each stanza begins with the 
familiar, “ Hush, baby, hush! ” 

Page 171. “A Romany Lullaby.” The “Gipsy 
Lullaby ” of Lulu W. Mitchell, and the “ Sierran 
Lullaby ” of Marian Warner Wildman are similar in 
their interest. Both will be found in the Century 
Magazine. 

Page 181. An Old Gaelic Cradle Song.” One 
of the best lullabies for use with children and one of 
the most popular. The text as given in different 
collections varies slightly. The third line of the sec¬ 
ond stanza is frequently printed, “ Brother seeks the 
wandering sheep.” 

Page 183. Other good-night songs by Mrs. 
Richards are included in the volume entitled “ In My 
Nursery.” 

Page 187. See also “ Rock-a-b^^e,” by Willoughby 
Weaving, in “ Fifty New Poems for Children.” 

Page 191. A lullaby by Marie Van Vorst has the 
same title. It commences, “ Over the crust of the 
hard white snow,” and has the refrain, “ And 
mother’s voice is singing.” The safety and warmth 
within the home are contrasted with the storm with¬ 
out, through which the father is supposed to be 
traveling. Aside from the word pictures, the chil¬ 
dren like this for its musical rhythm. 

Page 195. For a study of Indian songs and their 
sources the reader is referred to “ The Indians’ 
Book,” published by Harper and Brothers. 

Page 205. With the lullabies for the different 
seasons of the year may be mentioned “ A Summer- 
Night Song,” by Maud Going, and “ A Summer 
Lullaby,” by Eudora Bumstead, both of which ap¬ 
peared in St. Nicholas Magazine; also two winter 
lullabies with music by Taubert which are included 
in “ The New Educational Music Course.” “ A 


Notes 513 

Winter Lullaby,” by Mrs. Miller, has been set to 
music by Professor Silas Pratt of Pittsburgh. 

Page 207. “ Sleep, baby, sleep.” One of the 

most popular of all lullabies. This version has been 
attributed to Elizabeth Prentiss and to Caroline 
Southey. There are minor variations in the different 
collections in which it appears and the fourth and 
fifth stanzas are usually omitted for children. A 
different rendering is given in “ Essays in the Study 
of Folk-Songs ” and in this version another stanza 
is added: 


Sleep, baby, sleep; 

I’ll give you then a sheep 
With pretty bells, and you shall play 
And frolic with him all the day: 

Sleep, baby, sleep. 

As the editor comments, the lullaby is a “ truly Teu¬ 
tonic mixture of piety, wonder-lore, and homeliness.” 

Page 212. “ Bed-Time Song,” “ Going to Sleep,” 
by Emilie Poulsson, is similar in its interest. This 
has been set to music by Eleanor Smith and is in¬ 
cluded in their “ Songs of a Little Child’s Day.” 
Many other lullabies not noted here will be found in 
the various collections of songs for children. 

Page 219. Pokagon II was the hereditary chief 
of the Pottawatomies. This lullaby was found 
among his papers after his death and is supposed 
to have been written by him. It is a song of his 
own home. An-na-moosh and Zowan are the dogs, 
Na-ko-mis is the grandmother, and Nonnee is the 
child’s little brother. 

Page 222. Leanhhdin. Pronounced lyan-a-wan. 
The English rendering is ‘‘ White child.” 

Paffe 229. The “Slumber-Song” of Louis V. 
Ledoux is somewhat similar in theme. 

Page 238. See also “ The Flower’s Cradle Song,” 


514 


Notes 


by Lydia Avery Coonley, which is included with 
music in “ Playtime Songs,” by Alice C. D. Riley 
and Jessie L. Gaynor. 

Page 241. Kipling’s “ Seal Lullaby ” would 
seem to have a prescriptive right to a place with 
this group; but it is easily accessible in “ The Jungle 
Book ” and so is not reprinted here. 

The “ Dutch Slumber Song ” of Viola Chittenden 
White and the “Cradle-Song” of Sarojini Naidu 
may also be considered nature lullabies and both are 
very lovely in expression. 

Page 244. “ O Sleep, O Sleep.” One of Signor 

Dal Medico’s ninne-nanne quoted by the Countess 
Martinengo-Cesaresco. “ The comparison of the 
child’s gradual falling asleep with the slow ignition 
of fresh-cut wood is the common property of all 
the populations whose ethnical centre of gravity lies 
in Venice.” 

Page 245. “ Dreams! cheer the child.” This ver¬ 

sion is from “ The Songs of Greece; translated into 
English Verse,” by C. B. Sheridan; but there are sev¬ 
eral other English translations. One under the title, 
“ The North Wind and the Child ” is included in 
“ The Children’s Garland of Verse,” edited b}^ Grace 
Rhys: 

“ Gentle sleep, if you will take him, 

I will post three watchers round him.” 

Another rendering, beginning, “ Sleep, carry off 
my son, o’er wdiom three sentinels do watch,” is in¬ 
cluded in “ Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs; ” 
and Sir James Rennell Rodd in his “ Customs and 
Lore of Modern Greece ” provides still another ver¬ 
sion, the first line of which is: “ Take him in charge, 
. kind Sleep ; three sentinels I’ll give him.” The Greek 
lullaby on page 304 also contains an invocation to 


Notes 


515 


sleep. The Countess Martinengo-Cesaresco notes 
that the mothers of La Bresse, near Lyons, invoke 
sleep under the name of “ le Souin-souin ” : 

Le poupon voudrait bien domir; 

Le Souin-souin ne veut pas venir; 

Souin-souin, vene, vene, vene; 

Souin-souin, vene, vene, done! 

“ Mr. Dream-Maker,” by Samuel Minturn Peck, 
is an example of a modern lullab}^ which begins with 
an invocation. This first appeared in St. Nicholas 
Magazine. Reference has previously been made to 
Sidney Lanier’s invocation to the Sleep-Angel. 

Page 2d9. This suggests “ The Shut-Eye Train,” 
by Eugene Field, with its refrain, “ All aboard for 
Shut-Eve Town.” Somewhat similar in character is 
“ A Bed-Time Song,” sometimes called “ Shadow- 
Town Ferry,” by Lilian Rice. In this case the rock¬ 
ing-chair becomes a ferry which leads to Shadow- 
Towm. It always sails at the end of day and “ a 
sleepy kiss is the only fare.” 

Page 253. See also “To a Grandmother,” in 
“ Chimneysmoke,” by Christopher Morley. 

Page 254. The following two stanzas from a 
nursery rhyme in “ The Only True Mother Goose 
Melodies ” easily suggest the monotonous rhythm 
of a rocking-chair: 

Hey, my kitten, my kitten. 

And hey my kitten, my deary. 

Such a sweet pet as this 
Was neither far nor neary. 

Here we go up, up, up, 

And here we go down, down, downy, 

Here we go backward and forward. 

And here we go round, round, roundy. 

And this calls to mind “ The Baby’s Dance ” in 
“ Rhymes for the Nursery,” by Ann and Jane Tay- 


516 Notes 

lor, which, though it is not a lullabj", may bear re¬ 
peating here: 

Dance, little baby, dance up high: 

Never mind, baby, mother is by; 

Crow and caper, caper and crow, 

There, little baby, there you go; 

Up to the ceiling, down to the ground. 

Backwards and forwards, round and round: 

Then dance, little baby, and mother shall sing. 
While the gay merry coral goes ding, ding-a-ding, ding. 

Page 262. There is also a children’s song, en¬ 
titled “The Dream Fairy,” and beginning “A little 
fairy comes at night.” The words are by Thomas 
Hood and the music by Lambert. See also the poems 
of fairies and enchantments, pages 321 to 336. 

Page 271. In James B. Kenyon’s “ This is the 
Road to Sleepy-Town,” there is a Sandman who 

waits with blinking e3'es. 

Selling fresh dreams from Paradise. 

And each stanza ends with the refrain: 

“ Who buys, who buys. 

Fresh new dreams from Paradise?” 

The conception of the “ Dream Man ” in the song 
by Rose Miles is similar. He is represented as com¬ 
ing from Sleepy Town with “ fairy dreams all loaded 
down.” In France it is an old woman, called La 
Dormette, who throws sand in children’s eyes. 
Field’s “ Lady Button-Eyes ” who comes. 

In ethereal raiment dight. 

From the realm of fay and sprite, 

is another variation of the Sandman. Similar in 
character is the beautiful “ Dream-One ” who, in his 
“ Nightfall in Dordrecht,” comes to “ button the 
eyes ” while she softly sings, “ Sleep, little tulip, 
sleep! ” 


Notes 


517 


Page 272. A German song called “ The Little 
Dustman,” with music by Brahms, will be found in 
“ Every Child’s Folk Songs and Games,” by Carolyn 
S. Bailey, and also in “ The New Educational Music 
Course.” The latter collection contains also “ The 
Dustman,” by Mary Vaughan. This begins, “ Sleep, 
the Dustman now is nigh.” 

Page 291. The idea of the children sailing away 
to Dreamland is found in many lullabies. “ Wynken, 
Blynken and Nod,” by Eugene Field, is one of the 
best known poems of this type and one that is 
greatly loved by the children. “ The Slumber Boat,” 
beginning, ‘‘ Baby’s boat the silver moon,” is in¬ 
cluded in “ Playtime Songs,” by Alice C. D. Riley 
and Jessie L. Gaynor, and “ Land o’ Dreams,” by 
Alice Allen and Louise Stickney, is another song of 
this type. Eben E. Rexford’s ‘‘ Ho, For Slumber- 
land ” may be remembered for its refrain of the 
boatmen: “For the Slumber Islands, ho!” In 
Nor ah M. Holland’s “ Bed-Time Song,” the children, 
who are promised the Moon-Man for a playmate, 
float away in a golden boat; and in her “ Lullaby,” 
the galleys of Night bear them away, “ out on a tide 
of dream and dew.” This poem presents also a 
pleasing word picture of the sunset light and the 
coming of darkness. The image of the boat is 
varied somewhat in the familiar lullaby of Mrs. 
Cavazza, beginning, “ Through Sleepy-Land doth a 
river flow.” Here the little sheep, snow-white, are 
ferried over, one by one, by the boatman; and by 
the time twelve little sheep have been taken across to 
the flowery fields on the other side, the baby herself 
has gone with them to sleep. In Stevenson’s “ My 
Bed Is a Boat,” the same thought is presented from 
the child’s point of view. 

Page 298. Readers of Joseph C. Lincoln’s “ Cape 
Cod Ballads ” will recall his “ Sunset-Land,” “ where 


518 


Notes 


the cloud-hills rise in the western skies.” The 
images of the Sandman and the boat are employed; 
and all the delights of Sugarplum Town are vividly 
depicted. Eugene Field’s child who is rocked away 
to the garden of “ Shut-Eye Town ” finds a mar¬ 
velous tree with fruit wondrously sweet; and “ So, 
So, Rock-a-by So! ” “ The Fly-Away Horse,” and 

others of his poems portray alluringly the enjoy¬ 
ments of the child’s dream paradise. Frank Demp¬ 
ster Sherman’s “ Dreams,” in his “ Little-Folk 
Lyrics,” also describes this realm of joys, and Steven¬ 
son’s “ The Land of Nod ” will be remembered in 
this connection. Some of the lullabies included in 
other sections of this book also present pictures of 
the far-away lands of which children are supposed to 
dream at night. As these inducements, so delectably 
set forth, are in the nature of promises to persuade 
little folk to go to sleep, these lullabies have much 
in common with those on pages 300 to 311 in which 
various rewards are offered for infantile virtue. 

Page 300. The following lullaby is quoted in an 
article on cradle songs which appeared in 1893. It 
is said to be American and to have been contributed 
by Bret Harte: 

Hush, my baby, sleep my sweet, 

Father’s trying to sell his wheat. 

Hush, little baby, don’t you cry, 

You’ll be an alderman by and by. 

Page 301. A note in Folk-lore for 1914 states 
that this Welsh rhvme is also common in Cambridg:e- 
shire, England. The second line is varied accord¬ 
ing to need, ‘‘ Sleep like a gentleman,” and four 
additional lines are given: 

Father is the butcher. 

Mother cooks the meat, 

Johnnie rocks the cradle 
While baby goes to sleep! 


Notes 


519 


Page 302. The little French girl who watches her 
bab}’’ brother thinks of the goodies being prepared 
and the nice chocolate the father is brewing. The 
French text is as follows: 

Fais dodo, Colas, mon p’tit frere, 

Fais dodo, t’auras du lo-lo. 

Maman est en haut 
Qui fait du gateau; 

Papa est en has 
Qui fait du chocolat: 

Fais dodo. Colas, mon p’tit frere, 

Fais dodo, t’auras du lo-lo. 

A variant of this is quoted in “ Essays in the 
Study of Folk-Songs.” The French text and a 
literal rendering in English are included in Widor’s 
“ Old Songs and Rounds for Children.” This book 
has the merit of illustrations by Boutet de Monvel 
and the music is given. Another translation will 
be found in Every Child’s Folk Songs and Games,” 
by Carolyn S. Bailey. The little sister is also the 
singer in a Filipino lullaby. In this case she promises 
to “ buy tiny bananas.” In another lullaby the 
mother is represented as gathering fruit to be sold. 
With the money she is to buy a little new shirt for 
the baby “ and a hat with a tassel of gold.” These 
and other lullabies may be found in Book One of 
the Philippine Literature series, published by the 
Macmillan Company. 

Page 303. From The Songs of Greece.” 

Page 305. “ Sleep, my child.” This version is 
from Mrs. Ayrton’s “Child-Life in Japan;” but 
there are several other English renderings. The 
Japanese w^ords and melody are included in “ Cradle 
Songs of Many Nations,” together with a transla¬ 
tion, beginning, “ Sleep, sleep on the floor, oh! be 
good and slumber.” Another translation is given in 
“Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs.” Japanese 


520 


Notes 


words and music and a translation by A. V. R. East- 
lake will be found in volume fifteen of St, Nicholas 
Magazine. 

“ O hushaby, baby! ” A more familiar version is 
that beginning, 

Hush, baby dear, weep not awhile. 

And o’er thee shall such treasures smile. 

As did thy regal sires once own 
In the green land of Conn and Owen. 

Page 309. “ Sleep, baby, sleep 1 ” The words 

and melody are in “ Songs of the West.” 

Page 311. “ Hush ye, hush ye.” During the 

time of warfare between Scotland and England in 
the fourteenth century the name of Douglas became 
so terrible to the English that according to tradition 
the women used to frighten their children with it. 
As the story goes, at the taking of Castle Dangerous 
a soldier’s wife was singing this song to her child 
when a voice beside her said, “ You are not so sure 
of that,” and looking round she saw the very Black 
Douglas that she had been singing about. A rhyme 
somewhat similar in its general import is reported 
from Wilts, England: 

Hush-a-bye, babby. 

The beggar sha’n’t have ’ee. 

No more shall the maggoty pye;* 

The rook nor the raven 
Sha’n’t car’ thee to heaven. 

So hush-a-bye, babby, by-bye. 

“ Sleep, baby, sleep.” The translation is by C. 
G. Leland. 

Page 312. “ The tree leaves are murmuring ” 

was translated by Dr. Isaac T. Headland. 

Page 315. The last stanza of “ Willie Winkie ” 

^ Magpie. 


Notes 521 

is often omitted) especially in collections intended 
for children: 

Weary is the mither that has a storie wean, 

A Avee stumpie stoussie, that canna rin his lane, 

That has a battle aye wi’ sleep before he’ll close an ee; 
But a kiss frae aff his rosy lips gies strength anew to me. 

Page 317. See also “ The Boogah Man,” by Paul 
Laurence Dunbar. 

Page 323. The “ Fairy Lullaby ” is supposedly 
sung by a mother who was borne away to nurse a 
fairy’s babe; she was snatched off her palfrey and 
now, from Avithin the ramparts of a fairy fort (or 
old rath) she sees a Avoman Avashing at a stream. 
To her she appeals, whilst assiduously hushing the 
fairy-babe to sleep. She relates her story, and re¬ 
veals hoAv she may be delivered, Avhilst at the close 
of eA^ery stanza she sings the lullaby more loudly to 
avert suspicion from Avithin the fort. . . . She 

implored quick relief for “ fairy captives are redeem¬ 
able Avithin a year and a day, but after that they are 
lost for e\^er.”— Translator's note. 

Page 325. “ The Fairy Nurse ” is a traditional 

song, included by Alfred M. Williams in his “ Poets 
and Poetry of Ireland.” A girl is supposed to be 
led into the fairy fort of Lissoe, Avhere she sees her 
little brother, aaLo had died about a Aveek before, laid 
in a rich cradle, and a young AA^oman, singing as she 
rocks him to sleep.— Translator's note. 

Sleagli shie: fairy host. Keol-shie: fairy music. 

Page 329. “ Peak and Puke.” A poem, “ The 

Changeling,” by Norah M. Holland, deals with the 
same theme. 

Among other lullabies of superstition and en¬ 
chantment may be mentioned ‘‘ Thou White Swan ” 
AA’hich has been translated by Alex Carmichael and 
may be found in his “ Carmina Gadelica.” Accord- 




522 


Notes 


ing to Highland belief, swans were supposed to be 
ill-used religious ladies under enchantment. Driven 
from their homes and forced to wander, they were 
accustomed to dwell where they were most kindly 
treated. As the story goes, a woman whose child 
w’as ill found a wounded swan on a frozen lake. 
Taking it home, she cared for it tenderly and, as the 
broken wing healed, the health of the child also im¬ 
proved. The lullaby was composed to show the 
mother’s gratitude. 

Page 330. Fairies also play a part in a number 
of Eugene Field’s lullabies. Little Dear-my-Soul 
hears fairy voices calling, in another poem the fairy 
is promised a lump of sugar and a posie to bring 
back the “ w^ee croodlin’ doo,” and in “ Balow, My 
Bonnie,” there are references to the fairies who come 
to dance on the baby’s “ slumbering een.” Another 
modern lullaby, liked by children, is “ Fairy Town,” 
by Mary Carolyn Davies, which has the alluring 
refrain. 

All the Fairy babies, so, 

Off to Dreamland softly go. 

This is one of the poems in her book of child verse, 
“ A Little Freckled Person.” See also the lullaby 
of Walter De la Mare in the fairy play, “ Cross¬ 
ings,” and the poems of dream fairies, pages 259 to 
262. 

Page 335. “ Lully, lulley.” Interesting use of 

the lullaby refrain. The Bleeding Knight represents 
Christ and the ‘‘ May ” is His mother. The falcon. 
Miss Rickert remarks, “ is introduced apparently to 
suggest that the body of the poem is a vision.” It 
is probable that the carol w^as inspired or suggested 
by the legend of the Holy Grail and it is supposed 
to date from the fifteenth century. The source is a 
reprint of the Early English Text Society where 


Notes 523 

it is included under the heading; “Ballads and 
Worldly Songs.” 

The Elizabethan “ Lullaby ” of George Gascoigne 
is also interesting for its allegorical use of the 
mother’s cradle song. The lullaby, which is full of 
quaint conceits, begins: 

Sing lullabies, as women do, 

With which they charm their babes to rest; 
And lullaby can I sing too, 

As womanly as can the best. 

With lullaby they still the child. 

And if I be not much beguiled. 

Full many wanton babes have I 
Which must be still’d with lullaby. 

Page 337. “ Bye O my baby ” is from “ Gam¬ 

mer Gurton’s Garland.” “ Lullabye, mine owne 
deere child ” is from the ballad, “ Child Waters.” 
It is pleasing to kno^v that in this case there is a 
happy ending: 

“ Peace now,” he said, ” good Faire Ellen, 

And be of good cheere, I thee pray. 

And the bridall and the churching both, 

They shall bee upon one day.” 

The first stanza and the refrain of “ O can ye 
sew cushions ” are also printed: 

O can ye sew cushions? or can ye sew sheets? 

An’ can ye sing ba-la-loo when the bairnie greets? 
An’ hee an’ ba, birdie, an’ hee an’ ba, lamb. 

An’ hee an’ ba, birdie, my bonnie wee man. 

Hee O, wee O, what’ll I dae wi’ ye? 

Black is the life that I lead wi’ ye, 

Mony o’ ye, little to gie ye, 

Hee O, wee O, what’ll I dae wi’ ye? 

There are also variations in the text of the other 
stanzas. 

Page 342. Translation of a lyrical fragment 


524 


Notes 


which has been preserved through twenty-four cen¬ 
turies. Mr. Symonds calls it one of the most per¬ 
fect pieces of pathetic poetry in any literature. Ac¬ 
cording to the Greek stor}', King Acrisius had been 
warned by an oracle that he would be killed by the 
son of his daughter Danae. And so “ it came to 
pass that in time Danae bore a son; so beautiful a 
babe that any but King Acrisius would have had pity 
on it. But he had no pity; for he took Danae and 
her babe down to the sea-shore, and put them into 
a great chest and thrust them out to sea, for the 
winds and the waves to carry them whithersoever 
they would” {Charles Kingsley). This is the in¬ 
cident which Simonides took for the subject of his 
poem and he pictures Danae afloat upon the waves 
at night, singing to her infant son. Another transla¬ 
tion will be Tound in “ The Greek Poets; an An- 
tholog}^,” by Nathan Haskell Dole, and there are 
other literal renderings. The other poems included 
here are in the nature of paraphrases of the lyric of 
Simonides or they have been inspired by it. 

The story of Constance, told by the man of law, 
in Chaucer’s “ Canterbury Tales,” contains a similar 
incident. The queen with her child is placed on 
board a ship, with only her faith for rudder and sail: 

Her litel child lay wepyng in hir arm, 

And knelynge, pitously to hym she seyde, 

“ Pees, litel sone, I wol do thee noon harm ! ” 

With that hir coverchief of hir heed she breyde, 
And over hise litel eyen she it leyde, 

And in hir arm she lulleth it £ul faste. 

And into hevene hire eyen up she caste. 

Page 347. Compare with “ O can ye sew 
cushions.^ ” on page 337. Except for minor varia¬ 
tions two of the stanzas are the same. 

Page 348. From The Arbor of Amorous De¬ 
vises ” and commonly accredited to Nicholas Breton; 


Notes 


525 


but, according to Mr. Palgrave, it is “ a stronger 
and finer piece of work than any known to be his.” 

Page 350. From Bishop Percy’s “ Reliques of 
Ancient English Poetry,” but the spelling has been 
modernized. The editor notes that when sugar was 
first introduced into Europe it w^as considered a very 
great dainty and therefore the epithet, “ sugi-ed,” was 
used by writers of the time to express extreme and 
delicate sweetness. 

Page 359. Readers of Eugene Field will recall his 
“ Jewish Lullaby ” wuth its reference to the time 

Ere yet Judea’s heart was wrung 
By centuries of woe. 

Page 374. The following is another lullaby for 
the fatherless child: 

O my precious little gem, 

While I hold thee to my breast, 

May some heav’n inspiring dream 
Soothe thy spirit into rest. 

But thy mother’s heart is riv’n. 

Bitter anguish she must feel; 

Nothing but the balm of*heav’n 
Can her wounded spirit heal. 

Dark the night and dread the hour 
When thy father lay so low; 

When he felt the monster’s pow’r. 

Who could tell thy mother’s woe! 

But thou, image of his love, 

May’st in heav’n thy father see; 

Ere his spirit soar’d above 
’Twas his latest prayer for thee. 

Page 377. ‘‘ His Lullaby.” “ Mammy’s Lullaby,” 

by Howard Weeden, is also for the motherless child. 
The song is supposed to be sung by an old negro 
mammy to the little one sobbing on her breast. It 
mav be found in his “ Bandanna Ballads.” 


526 


Notes 


Page 382. “ The Last Lullaby,” by Richard 

Wightman, is similar in theme. It begins “ Little 
heart, a bird is flying.” 

In Eugene Field’s thought the angels beguile the 
child with their singing and sometimes “ beare him to 
ye garden that bloometh far re awaye.” In his 
“ Hushaby, Sweet My Owm,” the death angels rise 
out of the sea; and when they go back to ‘‘ the misty 
deep ” they carry ‘‘ a little one fast asleep.” 

Page 388. “ The Nipper’s Lullaby.” One of the 

songs of Albert Chevalier, the English comedian. 

Page 394. Another lullaby for dolls is found in 
“Rhymes for the Nursery,” by Ann and Jane Tay¬ 
lor. It is called “ The Little Girl to Her Dolly: ” 

There, go to sleep, Dolly, in own mother’s lap; 

I’ve put on your night-gown and neat little cap; 

So sleep, pretty baby, and shut up your eye, 

Bye bye, little Dolly, lie still and bye bye. 

I’ll lay my clean handkerchief over 3'^our head. 

And then make believe that my lap is j^our bed; 

So hush, little dear, and be sure you don’t cry: 

Bye bye, little Dolly, lie still, and bye bye. 

There, now it is morning, and time to get up. 

And I’ll crumb you a mess in my own china cup; 

So wake, little baby, and open your eye. 

For I think it’s high time to have done with bye bye. 

See also “ Three Lullabies ” on page 149. 

Page 395. “ A Cradle-Song of the Virgin.” 

These lines from a German carol are similar in spirit: 

Sleep, my Child; sleep, my Boy, 

The pure Virgin mother sings. 

Sleep, dear Heart; be quiet, little Treasure, 
Tenderly says the father too. 

Page 396. “ The Virgin’s Cradle-Hymn.” The 

print mentioned w'as one of a series of twelve ex¬ 
ecuted in the Netherlands and presenting a history 


Notes 


527 


of the childhood of Christ. To each was appended 
an appropriate Latin verse. A description of these 
prints is given in “ Legends of the Madonna,” by 
Mrs. Jameson. 

Page 397. The Latin original may be found in 
“ Kssa^^s in the Study of Folk-Songs.” The date 
is uncertain; but the custom of composing lullabies 
in the person of the Virgin Mary appears to have 
been common from an early period. The people in 
the early centuries of the Christian era undoubtedly 
accepted such songs in all good faith as the actual 
words of the Virgin herself. 

Page 399. The difference in spirit between the 
Latin hymns and the Italian folk-songs and Eng¬ 
lish carols, on which the shadow of the cross falls, is 
clearlv evident. 

The Sicilian lullaby was contributed by Carmelo 
Grassi to an Italian folk-lore review. “ As the tran¬ 
scriber . . . truly sa 3 ^s, it is a unique speci¬ 

men blending the poetry of unselfish love, which 
weeps for others who cannot weep for themselves, with 
the dramatic mental forecast of the Mother who, 
watching the eyes of the Christ-Child close in nat¬ 
ural, refreshing slumber, sees in this act of nature 
that day of gloom and agony foreshadowed when 
she will see those same loved eyes close on the cross.” 
E. C. Vansittar’t. 

Page 403. “ The Virgin’s Lullaby.” “ The senti¬ 

ment of maternal love, as illustrated, as transfigured, 
in the love of the Virgin for her Divine child, fur¬ 
nished the great Italian painters with their master 
motive, whilst in his humble fashion the obscure 
folk-poet exemplifies the self-same thought.” Countess 
M artinengo-Cesaresco. 

Grace War rack quotes a part of this folk lullaby, 
with a translation of her own, in her ‘‘ Florilegio di 


528 


Notes 


Canti Toscani.” She notes that the song is widely 
spread; and says that the version she has used is in 
language Tuscan, though the little pamphlet from 
which it is taken states “ that it is sung by the 
young girls of Lombardy; and elsewhere it is set 
down to Piemonte. (In a recent French book on 
the Folk Songs of Corsica it is quoted as a speci¬ 
men.)” 

The reference to the “ cattle standing round ” in 
the sixth stanza is a reminder of the old tradition 
that on the birthnight of Christ the ox and the ass 
acknowledged the Child and knelt in their stalls in 
adoration of the infant Saviour. It is also said that 
the breath of the animals brought the child to life, 
that under the influence of their warmth he opened 
his eyes and uttered his first cry. The following 
lines from a German carol have reference to this 
belief: 

Come, my Child, look at the little bed 
Which is prepared for Thee; 

Come, my Boy, step in the manger, 

Which is covered with hay; 

Shut your eyes, cover your little hands, 

For a keen wind is blowing outside; 

Sleep, my Child, the ass 

And the ox will give Thee warmth. 

Jeremy Tajflor in his “ Festival Hymns ” says: 

But He hath other waiters now; 

A poor cow. 

An ox and mule stand and behold. 

And wonder. 

That a stable should enfold 
Him that can thunder. 

Page 405. Another lullaby of the Virgin, a lovely 
Tuscan folk-song with an English translation, is in¬ 
cluded in ‘‘ Florilegio di Canti Toscani,” by Grace 
Warrack. The English title is “ Slumber-Song of 
the Blessed Mother.” A traditional song from Sar- 


Notes 


529 


dinia, The Lullaby of the Fair Babe,” is given in 
her “ I rom Isles of the West.” This has the refrain: 

O Lord, my babe foretold, 

Fairer than finest gold. 

Page 406. The popularity of the legendary and 
religious carols in England may be inferred from 
their number and the many variants which exist. 
They grew up among the people and they have the 
spirit of ballad poetry. Some are lovely in thought 
and in expression, one of the most exquisite being the 
familiar. 


He came all so still 
Where His mother was, 
As dew in April 
That falleth on the grass. 


Mother and maiden 

Was never none but she; 

Well may such a lady 
God’s mother be. 

All have the charm of quaintness. The carol 
lullaby is a special type which often takes the form 
of a narrative story relating incidents in the life of 
Christ. These carols were generally sung at the 
Christmas season until the Puritans came into power; 
but in 1647 it was decreed that the feast of the 
Nativity of Christ should no longer be observed. As 
a consequence of this prohibition they fell into dis¬ 
use. Only a few typical carols are included here 
and some of these have been modernized in spelling. 
For a discussion of the history of carol literature 
and additional examples the reader is referred to tlie 
various special collections, some of which include 
music. 

Page 408. ‘‘ Carol.” “ The simplest of all the 

lullabies is probably the oldest. The MS. in wEich 


530 


Notes 


it is found was said by T. Martin to be in the 
writing of John Brackley, friar minor of Nor¬ 
wich. . . . Although Brackley was still alive in 

14)61 a memorandum by John Whyte attributes the 
songs in the manuscript to the time of Richard If 
and Henry IV.” Edith Kickert. 

Mange: manger. Knave child: a boy. Fode: 
nursling. Smerte: cause of grief. Ezyl: vinegar. 

Page 409. “ A Carol at the Manger.” From the 

pageant of the shearmen and tailors, one of the 
Coventry mystery plays. It is reprinted in “ Ludus 
Coventrffi,” edited by J. O. Halliwell, and is com¬ 
monly known as the “ Coventry Carol.” Mr. Wal¬ 
ter De la Mare introduces a lullaby with the refrain, 
“ Lullaby, thou little tiny child,” into his poem of 
“ The Ogre.” In his fairy play, “ Crossings,” there 
is a lullaby with the refrain, “ Then sing, lully, 
lullay.” 

Page 410. “ Nativity Carol.” Two stanzas from 

“ Ane Sang of the Birth of Christ ” which is given 
in full in “ Ancient English Christmas Carols,” by 
Edith Rickert, and in “ Christmas Carols,” by Wil¬ 
liam Sandys. The song is taken from “ Ane Com¬ 
pendious Buik of Godlie Psalmes and Spirituall 
Sangis,” published in 1621. Compare the two fol¬ 
lowing stanzas from “ Luther’s Carol ” as arranged 
by the Rev. Mr. Bramley in his “ Christmas Carols:” 

Ah! Jesu, my heart’s Treasure blest, 

Make Thee a clean, soft cradle-nest; 

And rest and dwell within my heart. 

That I from Thee may never part. 

So shall I evermore rejoice, 

And bounding sing, with heart and voice, 

A lullaby which Thou wilt own. 

The spirit’s song of sweetest tone. 


This is the carol which Luther wrote for his little 


Notes 


531 


boy, Hans, when the child was five years old. In 
“ Luther as a Hymnist,” it is given the sub-title, “ A 
Child’s Song at Christmas Concerning the Little 
Child Jesus.” 

“ The Madonna and Child.” Three v ersions and 
the variants of a fourth are reprinted by the Early 
English Text Society in their “ Songs, Carols, and 
Other Miscellaneous Poems.” (Extra series, 101.) 
A modernized rendering by the Rev. H. R. Bramley 
is included in his “ Christmas Carols.” An addi¬ 
tional stanza, given in one version, is thus modernized 
by Miss Rickert. 

“ My mother sheen, of heaven queen, your asking shall I speed, 
So that the mirth displease me not, in words nor yet in deed. 
Sing what ye will. 

So that ye fulfill, 

My ten commandments ay; 

Ay you for to please. 

Let them not cease 
To sing, by, baby, lullay/* 

The form of dialogue between the mother and the 
child is a common one. 

Page 415. “ Lullay, Lullay.” Miss Warrack 

quotes from an Italian* poem in which the child in 
response to the mother’s question, “ What dreamest 
Thou.^ ” answers, “I dream how I for thee shall 
suffer death.” Compare also: 

One winter’s night I saw a sight, 

A maid an Infant keep; 

And ever she sung, and said among, 

“ Lullay, my Child, and sleep. 

I may not sleep, but I may weep, 

I am so wo-begone; 

For sleep I would, but I am cold. 

And clothing have I none.” 

Methought I heard the Child answer’d, 

And to His mother said, 

“ My mother dear, what do T here 
In crib where I am laid? 


532 


Notes 


Lo, I was born and laid before 
The cattle, ox, and ass; 

My mother mild, I am thy Child 
But God my Father was. 

“ Mankind was spilt by Adam’s guilt. 

That sin it grieved Me sore; 

O man, for thee here I shall be 
For thirty years and more. 

A spear so sharp shall pierce My heart 
For deeds I never have done; 

Father of grace, hide not Thy face. 

Forsake Thou not Thy Son. 

“No pity shall My soul befall. 

But death shall course full sore; 

First man! I wys, this death it is 
For thee and many more.” 

Then let us sing to heaven’s high King 
And praise His wondrous love. 

Since man to save. His Son He gave, 

That we might reign above. 

Page 416. “ The King in the Cradle.” From 

“ Tenor Psalmes, Sonets, and Songs of Sadness and 
Pietie,” by William Byrd of the Queenes Maiesties 
Royall Chappell,” published in London in 1587. 
Byrd was probably responsible for the music only 
and the words may be older. Herod’s cruel massacre 
is a common subject for the ’early carols. 

Page 418. “ Latin choruses to Godly Songs or 

Carols in the vernacular arose from the use of Latin 
prayers and chants in the churches in those days. 
Education, prior to the Reformation, being for the 
most part conducted at or under supervision of the 
monasteries. Monkish Latin wms tolerablv familiar to 
the people.” Joshua Sylvester, in his “ Garland of 
Christmas Carols.'' 

Page 419. There is a Christ-Child lullaby in 
“ Songs of the Hebrides ” and Etime’s croon for the 
child Columba may be mentioned in this connection, 
for, although not addressed to the Infant Christ, it 
is similar in its spirit. The mother is crooning her 


Notes 


533 


simple song when the child who is a day and a year 
old looks up into her face and adds a verse of his 
own. 

Page 420. It is evident that “ mediseval ” and 
“ modern ” have not been used with their usual his¬ 
torical significance, nor has “ modern ” been used in 
the sense of contemporary or recent. Some of the 
carols included can be definitely assigned to the 
fifteenth century, others belong to the sixteenth, and 
some are from seventeenth century collections, al¬ 
though the words are probably older. They are 
alike, however, in spirit and general character; and 
it has not seemed desirable to separate them by 
period divisions. The poems of Richard Rowlands 
and Lope de Vega also represent the seventeenth cen¬ 
tury; but they do not belong to the folk type of 
literature and they have been used, therefore, to in¬ 
troduce the “ modern ” poems. This usage of terms 
is in accordance with Lewis Carroll’s plan of mak¬ 
ing words mean what we want them to mean. 

“ Our Blessed Lady’s Lullaby ” was published in 
“ Odes ” in 1601, under the pseudonym of Richard 
Verstagen. An excerpt was included in a musical 
collection arranged by Martin Peerson in 1620 and 
these verses sometimes appear separately. 

Page 449. This suggests the familiar Christmas 
hymn with its lullaby refrain varying with each 
stanza: 


Sleep, sleep, My Babe Divine, 

Sleep, God’s Son, and mine. 

Page 454. For another recent lullaby, addressed 
to the Christ-Child, see “ Sleep, Baby Jesukin,” in 
the mystery play, ‘‘ When Half Gods Go,” by Norah 
M. Holland. 

Page 456. The lullabies in this group are ad- 


534 


Notes 


dressed to the ordinary child, or they represent such 
a child as the speaker; but the}^ all have reference 
to the infant Christ. 

Page 457. The “ Cradle Hymn ” of Luther is 
especially notable for its child-like simplicit 3 \ 

“ A Rocking H^^mn ” is from “ Haleluiah; or, 
Britan’s Second Remembrancer,” published in 
1641. The “ Hymn ” has something of the lyrical 
quality of Wither’s early verse when he was a cavalier 
and sang of love and light delights. Unfortunately 
in becoming a Puritan he seems to have lost much 
of his metrical skill and his later poetry is dogmatic 
in character and marred by the curious conceits in 
w'hich the seventeenth century delighted. The lullaby 
is introduced with the quaint remark: “Nurses 
usually sing their children asleep, and through want 
of pertinent matter the\^ oft make use of unprofit¬ 
able, if not worse, songs; this was therefore prepared 
that it might help acquaint them and their nurse 
children with the loving care and kindness of their 
heavenly father.” 

Page 460. The familiar “ Cradle Hymn ” of 
Watts is from “ Divine and Moral Songs,” published 
in 1720. 

Page 462. “ It may be said that in [Blake’s] mind 
childhood was largely resolvable into infancy, and 
that when he looked upon a babe, he saw life in its 
purest form, and that most suggestive of the divine, 
as in the exquisite cradle song, into which is w^oven 
the weeping of the child Jesus for all the human 
race.” H. E. Scudder. 

Page 464. This poem has been set to music by 
Louise Ayres Garnett. It has also been published 
under the title, “ Come Back Along to Me,” with 
music by Tod Galloway. 

Page 467. Eleanor Far jeon’s “ Cradle-Song for 


Notes 535 

Christmas ’’ may be mentioned as another modern 
lullaby on this theme. 

Page 468. A song from French Flanders. 

Page 475. The second couplet of “Now I lay 
me ” is sometimes varied: 

In peace and safety till I wake, 

And this I ask for Jesus’ sake. 

The following prayer from a sampler is introduced 
in Miss Lamprey’s “ Days of the Colonists: ” 

Lord, make me gentle, meek, and good. 

To mind my duty as I should; 

And so to order all mj^ days 
That I may live unto Thy praise. 

The guardian saints are invoked in the familiar: 

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, 

Guard the bed that I lay on! 

Four corners to my bed, 

Four angels round my head; 

One to watch, one to pray. 

And two to bear my soul away! 

A variant of which is, 

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, 

Bless the bed that I lye on. 

And blessed guardian angel keep 
Me safe from danger while I sleep. 

Bishop Ken in the early eighteenth century writes, 

O may my Guardian while I sleep 
Close to my bed his vigils keep. 

(“ Evening Hymn,'^ text of 1709) 

And Walter De la Mare in the twentieth centur}^: 

You Angels bright who me defend, 

Enshadow me with curved wing. 

And keep me in the darksome night 
Till dawn another day do bring. 


536 


Notes 


This is from “ The Child in the Story Goes to 
Bed,” which ends in the prayer quoted. See also the 
Italian children’s prayers in “ Florilegio di Canti 
Toscani ” and the chapter on “ The White Paternos¬ 
ter ” in “ Essays in the Study of Folk-Songs.” 

Page 476. “ A Little Hymn.” The original title 

is “ Encouragement for Little Children.” One 
stanza has been omitted. 

Page 480. “ The Tender Shepherd ” was pub¬ 

lished in “ Rh^mies for My Children,” 1842, no copy 
of which has been available for comparison. There 
are variations in the lines as they appear in modern 
collections. The last line of the first stanza some¬ 
times reads, “ Keep me safe till morning light ” and 
the first line of the second stanza is printed, 
“ Through this day Thy hand hath led me,” and the 
third line, “ Thou hast warmed me, clothed and fed 
me.” 

Page 484. Written in 1865 and printed in the 
Church Times the same A^ear. 

Page 487. “ Father, Hear Thy Children,” is from 

Aunt Jucly^s Magazine. The author is probably 
some member of the Gatty family. 


INDEX OF AUTHORS 


page: 

Abbott, Edgar W. . . 249 
Abbott, Samuel ... 03 

Aiken, A. Holcombe . . 256 
Aldrich, Thomas Bailey 10, 233 
Allen, Willis Boyd . . 185 

Alma Tadenia, Laurence 67, 

203, 224, 228 
Anderson, Alexander 65, 312 
Austin, Alfred .... 20 

Ayrton, Mrs. M. C. . . 305 
Bacon, Josephine Daskam 229 
Baring-Gould, Sabine 468, 484 
Barker, Edward D. . . 240 

Barker, T. T.364 

Barnes, William . . . 100 
Barton, Bernard , . . 494 
Bashford, H. H. . . . 437 
Bates, Katharine Lee . 259 
Begbie, Agnes H. . 395,449 
Bennett, William Cox . 21 

Blake, William . . .26,159, 

299,462 

Bowen, Mary M. . . . 114 
Boyle, Virginia Frazer . 227 
Brackley, John, Friar . 408 
Bramley, H. R. ... 395 
Bremer, Fredrika . . . 474 
Breton, Nicholas . . . 34 ^ 

Brine, Mary Dow . . . 248 
Brininstool, E. A. . . 178, 281 
Brooke, Caris .... 225 
Brooks, Fred Emerson 80, 149 
Brown, Kate Louise . . 205 
Browning, Elizabeth BaT- 

rett.30,428 

Bryan, Claude . . . 

Buck, Richard Henry 
Bunj'^an, John . . . 

Burdette. Robert J. . 

Burns, Robert . . . 

Butts, Mary F. . . 

Bynner, Witter . . . 


PAGE 

Camp, Pauline Frances 172, 

202 

Campbell, Wilfred . . . 201 
Carbery, Ethna . . . 315 
Carlin, Francis . . .176,453 
Carman, C. Kathleen . . i6i 
Carter, Mrs. Ann Au¬ 
gusta ^.209,253 

Cary, Alice.I 93 

Caswall, Edward . . . 425 
Chadwick, John White . 268 
Clark, James Gowdy . 147,361 
Clarke, George Herbert . 479 
Clough, Arthur Hugh . 28 

Coates, Elmer Ruan . . 268 
Coates, Florence Earle 74, 258 
Cocke, Zitella .... 124 

Coleridge, Hartley . . . 109 

Coleridge, Samuel Tay¬ 
lor .396, 478 

Coleridge, Sara .... 353 
Coll, J. A. ..... 196 
Colum, Padraic .... 123 

Comstock, Sarah . . . 192 

Cone, Helen Gray . . 234 

Conkling, Grace Hazard . 230 
Cooper, George . . 265,281 
Crapsey, Adelaide . . . 465 
Crew, Helen Coale . . 464 
Cunningham, Alice Hath¬ 


away . 9 

Daly, T. A..267 

D’Arcy, Hal.327 


Dare, Shirley .... 255 
Davidson, Thomas . . 345 
Davies, William H. . . 379 
Davis, Fannie Stearns . 221 
De Charms, Edith . . I 7 t 
Dekker, Thomas . . . 2,19 
De la Mare, Walter 162, 175 . 

329, 332 


51 

316 

486 

54 

43 

255 

290 


53Y 
















538 Indecc of Authors 


Dobell, Sydney . . . 72,289, 


355,374 

Dodge, Mary Mapes . 149 
Dorr, Julia C. R. . . . 472 
Duncan, Mary D. . . . 480 
Edwardes, Richard . . 101 
Edwards, H. S. ... 23 

Edwards, Matilda B. . 483 
Elson, Louis C. . . . 391 
Ewing, Juliana Horatia . 392 
Ferguson, James . . . 276 
Field, Eugene . . .168,191, 

275, 471 

Foley, F. W.216 

Follen, Eli^a Lee ... 83 

Fransen, Natanael . . 52 

Franz, Willis Walton . 79 

Furlong, Alice .... 326 

Cx, A. ..487 

Gall, Richard .... 10 

Gannett, William Chan- 

ning . . ^.439 

Garnett, Louise Ayres . 164, 

284,451 

Gielow, Martha S, . . 370 
Gilder, Richard Watson . 56 

Gillilan, Strickland W. . 241 
Glasgow, G. R. ... 366 
Going, Charles Buxton . 224 
Graves, Alfred Perceval 93, 

140,287 


Greene, Robert . . . 352 
Gregan, Paul .... 143 

Hardy, Arthur Sherburne 122 
Harrison, Virginia Biorcn 116 
Hastings, Thomas 81,133,134 
Hawkins, H. P. ... 4^ 
Healy, Robert .... 377 
Heber, Reginald . . . 47S 
Higginson, Ella . . 123,383 

Hill, George.166 

Hoffman von Fallerslebcn 236 
Hogg, James . . . . 379 
Holland, Josiah Gilbert 16, 

138, 173, 247 

Hood, Thomas .... 385 
Hopper, Nora . . . 280,438 
Housman, Laurence . . 258 
Howitt, Mary .... 474 
Hueffer, Ford M. . . . 217 


Plughes, John Ceiriog 
Hugo, Victor . . . 
Hull, Eleanor . . . 

Ingelow, Jean . . . 
Jacobs-Bond, Carrie . 
Jannaris, A. N. . . 
Johnson, E. Pauline . 
Johnson, James Weldon 
Johnstone, Henry . . 

Jones, I. L. 

Jordan, Charlotte Brew 

ster. 

Kenyon, James B. 


158 

32 

324 

89 

252 

304 

211 

99 

497 

77 


. 235 

83, i^, 
292,464 
. 283 


Keynton, John . . 

Kilmer, Joyce .... 331 
Lamprey, Louise . . . 321 
Lang, Andrew .... 344 
Larcom, Lucy .... 187 

La T., M.182 

Lazarus, Emma .... 57 

Leamy, Edmund S. . . 146 

Le Gallienne, Richard . 222 
Leigh, Henry S. . . . 310 
Lermontoff, M. Y. . . 47 

Leslie, Shane .... 369 
Lewin, Lionel PI. . . . 233 
Lindsay, Lady . . .45,254 
Litchfield, Addie . . . 238 
Lope de Vega .... 425 
Lover, Samuel . . .85,141 

Luke, Mrs.4^ 

Luther, Martin . . . 456,457 
Macbean, Lachlan . . 46 

McClusky, Kate Wis- 

ner.86 

MacDonald, George .114,488 
MacDonald, Greville . . 330 
Mack, Robert Ellice . . 185 

M’Kenzie, William P. 247,277 
Maclean, Nannie P'itzhugh 78 
McLeod. Crofton Uniacke 186 
“Madeod, Fiona” (Wil¬ 
liam Sharp) . . 73,115.454 

MacManus, Seumas . . 222 
Macnamara, Francis . . 441 
Mangan, James Clarence 305 
Markham, Edwin . . . 488 
Massey, Gerald ... 94 

Melton, Wightman F. . 154 














Index of Authors 


539 


Meynell, Alice . . . . i6i 
Miller, Madeleine Sweeny 203 
Miller, Thomas . . . 177 

Miller, William . . . 314 

Miner, Leigh Rich¬ 
mond .251,317 

Mitchell, Grace .... 188 

Mitchell, Langdon E. . 440 
Monroe, Harriet . . . 382 
Montgomery, George Ed¬ 
gar .62 

Morris, Harrison S. . . 473 
Muir, Henry D. . . . 330 
Miilock, Dinah Maria 
(Mrs. Craik) . . . 367 
Myall, Charles .... 126 
Nairne, Lady Carolina . 347 

Nesbit, E.232 

Nichol, H. E. (Colin 

Sterne) .427 

Noel, Roden .... 181,198 
Noyes, Alfred .... 442 

O’K., L. L.436 

O’Keeffe, Adelaide . . 490 
O’Reilly, Mary Anne . 11,286 
O’Sullivan, Owen Roe . 305 
O’Sullivan, Seumas . . 190 

O’Sullivan, Vincent . . 334 
Palgrave, Francis Tur¬ 
ner .489, 490 

Peabody, Josephine Pres¬ 
ton .151 

Pearse, P. H. . . . 121,206 
Peck, Samuel Minturn . 36 

Pickthall, Marjorie L. C. 4^ 
Pierpont, John .... 478 
Plass, William H. . . 220 
Pokagon, Simon . . . 219 
Poulsson, Emilie . . . 212 
Poynter, Mary H. . . . 179 

Pratt, Harry Noyes . 97,287 
Prentiss, Elizabeth . . 15 

Prescott, Mary New- 

march. 145 

Procter, Adelaide A. . . 357 
Radford, Dollie .... 61 

Rands, William Brighty 167, 

184 

Raskin, Philip M. . . 359 
Rexford, Eben E. . . . 64 


Richards, Laura E. . 183, 293 
Rider, George T. . . . 426 
Ritchie, Alexander A. . 354 
Ritter, Fanny Raymond 21 
Roberts, Charles G. D. . 274, 

496 

Roche, James Jeffrey . 387 
Rodd, Sir James Rennell 156 
Rossetti, Christina G. 3, 72, 

141,223,351 
Roundy, William Noble . 147 

Rowlands, Richard . . 420 

Sargent, H. F.298 

Satterlee, Walter . . . 341 
Scott, Sir Walter ... 44 

Sewall, Alice Archer . 100 

Shakespeare, William . 328 
Shane, Elizabeth ... 49 

Sheridan, C. B. 108, 245, 303 
Sherman, Frank Dempster 261 
Shirley, James .... 157 

Sidney, Sir Philip ... 19 

Sigerson, George . . 60,322 

Simonides.342 

Skinner, Constance Lind¬ 
say .194 

Slade, Mary B. C. . . 381 
Slater, Mary White . . 263 
Smith, James .... 136 

Spofford, Harriet Pres¬ 
cott .117 

Spurr, M. B.388 

Stafford, Wendell Phil¬ 
lips . 97 

Stanton, Frank L. . I 3 > 3^5 
Starr, Hattie .... 319 
Stedman, Edmund C. . 343 
Sterling, John .... 338 
Stevens, Rowan . . . 214 

Stevenson, John . . . 294 
Stewart, Alexander . . 43 

Stoddard, Elizabeth . . I 39 

Strettell, Alma 157 , 372 , 397 
Swinburne, Algernon 
Charles ..... 27,237 
Symonds, John Adding¬ 
ton .342, 435 

Tabb, John B. . , . 5 ^, 
Talbot, Ellen V. . . . 239 
Tastu, Madame .... 477 


















540 


Indecc of Authors 


Taylor, Joseph Russell . 236 
Taylor, Ann, or Taylor, 

Jane .90,476,485,498,526 
Tennyson, Alfred, Lord 189, 

231 

Thaxter, Celia . 65, 77> 91 
Thomas, Edith M. . . . 213 
Thompson, Francis . . 491 
Trench, Richard Chene- 

vix.29 

Turnbull, Monica Peveril 174 
Tynan, Annie E. . . . 261 
Untermeyer, Jean Starr . 357 
Upson, Arthur ... 35 

Vandegrift, Margaret (Mar¬ 
garet Thomson Janvier) 269 
Van Dyke, Henry ... 88 

Van Rensselaer, Mrs. 

Schuyler .... 162, 393 
Van Vorst, Marie . . . 333 


W., M. E.257 

W., R.493 

Walshe, Edward . . . 325 
Watts, Isaac .... 460 
Weatherly, Frederick Ed¬ 
ward .272 

Weir, Arthur .... 469 
Wesley, Charles . . . 481 
White, Henry Kirke . . 361 
Wilcox, Ella Wheeler . 296 
Wilkins, Mary E. . . . 90 

Wilkinson, Elizabeth 

Hays.167, 297 

Wilson, McEandburgh . 363 
Wither, George . . . 457 
Wordsworth, Dorothy . 196 

Worth, Patience . . . 117 

Wright, Merle St. Croix 118 
Yeats, William B. .148,346 
Young, Charlotte . . . 159 






INDEX OF TITLES 


Amantium Irse . . . . 
American Cradle-Song , 
Andalusian Cradle-Song 
Angel’s Whisper, The , 

As a Blossom Sweet and Rosy 

At Evening. 

At the Dreamland Gate . . 

Auld Daddy Darkness . . 

Baby Dear. 

Baby Song, A. 

Baby-Song . 

Baby’s Evening-Song . . . 
Ballad of Baby Bunting, The 
Baloo, My Bairnie, Fa’ Asleep 
Balooloo, My Lammie . . 

Be Hush’d. 

Beautiful Land of Nod, The 
Bed-Time .... 

Bed-Time Song . . 

Belgian Lullaby, A 
Birdie in the Cradle 
Birds in the Night 
Black Mammy’s Lullaby . 
Blessing for the Blessed, A 
Boats of Slumberland, The 
Bohemian Cradle-Song 
Boston Lullaby, A . 

By-By, Lullaby . . 

By the Alma River 
By the Cradle . . 

Bye, Baby, Night Is 
Bye-Low Song, The 
Bylo Land .... 

Bylo-Land .... 

Carol. 

Carol. 

Carol at the Manger, 

Carol of Jesus Child 

Cecil. 

Child-Song .... 

Childless Mother’s Lullaby, The 
Child’s Desire, The . . . 

Child’s Evening Hymn, A 
Child’s Evening Hymn, A 


Co 


me 


A 


Bdwardes 
Burdette 
A Idrich 
Lover . 
Graves 


Wilkins . 

Ferguson 

Lover . . 

Stoddard 

Tennyson 

Thomas 

Leigh . 

Smith . 

Nairne 

Hastings 

Wilcox 


Poulsson 

Gielow 


Lewin . 
Melton 
Alma 


Tade 


'11 


Roche . 


Mulock 
MacDona 
Dodge 


Id 


Kenyon 

Brackley 

Mitchell 


Macnamara 
De la Mare 
Sidney 
Higginson 
Luke . . 
Clarke . . 
Palgrave 


PAGE 

. loi 

. 54 
10 
. 141 
. 140 

• 476 
. go 
. 276 
. 85 
. 139 

• 231 

• 213 
. 310 
. 136 

• 347 

• 133 

. 296 
. 218 
. 212 
. 370 

■ 232 

• 233 

• 154 
. 67 
. 278 

• 135 

■ 387 

. 407 

. 367 
. 114 
. 149 

. 226 
. 142 
. 292 
. 408 
. 440 

. 409 
. 441 

• 332 
. 19 

• 383 

• 496 
479 

. 489 


541 

















































542 


Index of Titles 


Child’s Evening Prayer, A . 
Child’s Evensong, A . . . . 

Child’s Prayer, A. 

Child’s Prayer, A. 

Child’s Prayer at Evening, A 
Child’s Song of Christmas, A 

Christmas Eve. 

Christmas Lullaby, A . . . 
Christmas Prayer, A . ... . 

Come, O Wind. 

Cossack Cradle-Song . . . . 

Cottager to Her Infant, The . 

Cradle-Boat, The. 

Cradle H3TOn. 

Cradle Hymn, A. 

Cradle of Gold, The . . . . 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle-Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle-Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song, A. 

Cradle Song, A. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song, A. 

Cradle-Song. 

Cradle Song, The. 

Cradle-Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle-Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle-Song, A. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song. 

Cradle Song, A. 


Coleridge 

. . 478 

Le Gallienne 

. . 222 



Edwards . . 

. . 483 

Roberts . . 

. . 496 

Pickthall 

. . 466 

Field . . . 

. . 471 

Weir . . . 

. . 469 

MacDonald 

. . 488 

Kenyon . . 

. . 189 

Lermontoff . 

• . 47 

Wordsworth 

. . 196 

Keynton . . 

. . 283 

Luther . . 

• . 457 

Watts . . . 

. . 460 

Graves . . 

• . 93 

« • • • • • 

. . 82 

• ♦ • • • • 

. . 120 

• • • • * • 

. . 132 

* • » • • • 

. . 311 

Arabic . . 

. . no 

German . . 

. . 131 

Italian . . 

• . 75 

Swedish . . 

• . 74 

Russian . . 

• . 329 

A Idrich . . 

• . 233 

Blake . . . 

. . 26 

Blake . . . 

. . 462 

Bowen . . 

. . 114 

Brooke . . 

• . 225 

Camp . . . 

. . 172 

Cary . . . 

• . 193 

Coates . . 

. . 74 

Colum . . 

• . 123 

Crapsey . . 

• . 465 

Gall . . . 

. . 10 

Gilder . . 

. . 56 

Hoffman von 

Pal- 

lersleben . 

• • 236 

Holland . . 

. . 16 

Housman 

. . 258 

Hugo . . . 

. . 32 

Peabodv 

• . 151 

Rexford . . 

. . 64 

Stevens . . 

. . 214 

Tabb . . . 

• . 56 

Thaxter . . 

. . 63 

Van Rensselaer . 162 

Wright . . 

. . 118 

Yeats . . . 

. . 148 



















Indecv of Titles 


543 


Cradle Song, A. 

Cradle-Song at Twilight. 

Cradle Song for Summer. 

Cradle Song of a Soldier’s Wife . . 

Cradle Song of Amy. 

Cradle-Song of the Fisherman’s Wife 
Cradle-Song of the Night Wind, A . 
Cradle-Song of the Poor, The 
Cradle-Song of the Virgin, A 
Cradle Songs .... 

Cuddle Doon .... 

Danae’s Cradle Song . 

Danae’s Lullaby . . 

De LiT Jesus-Baby . 

De Li’l’ Road to Res’ 

Death Lullaby, The . 

Dey Don’ Know . 

Dixie Lullaby, A 


Doll’s Cradle-Song 
Dolly’s Lullaby . 

Dolly’s Lullaby . 

Dream Boat, The 
Dream Carol, A 
Dream-Song . . 

Dustman, The . 

Dustman, The . 

East Coast Lullaby 
Erris Fairy, An . 

Even-Song . . . 

Evening .... 

Evening Hymn . 

Evening Hymn . 

Evening Hymn . 

Evening Hymn . 

Evening Hymn . 

Evening Hymn, An 
Evening Hymn for a Child 
Evening Hymn for a Little Fa 
Evening Prayer, An 
Evening Song . . 

Eve’s Cradle-Song . 

“ Ex Ore Infantium 
Fairies’ Lullaby, The 
Fairy Lullaby . . 

Fairy Nurse, The . 

Falling to Sleep 
Father, Hear Thy Children 
Fisher-Wife’s Song, The 
Flower Lullaby .... 
Fragment of a Sleep-Song 


mi 


y, 


Yeats . . 
Meynell , 
Noel . . 
Barker . 
Dobell 
Higginson 
Allen . . 
Procter . 


Szvinburne 

Anderson 


Lang . 
Garnett 
Miner . 


Miner . 

Daly . 

German 
Living . . . 
Van Rensselaer 
Garnett 


De la Mare 


Weatherly 
Lindsay 
D’Arcy 
Polish . 
Young 


An 


W., R. 
Baring-Gould 
Heber . 
Taylor 
Pierpont 
Taylor 
Barton 
Davis . 
Satterlee 
Thompson 
I rish 
Irish 
Irish 


G„ A. 
McLeod 
Litchfield 
Dobell 


. 346 
. 161 
. 198 

• 364 
. 355 
. 123 
. 185 
. 357 

• 395 
. 27 

• 65 
. 345 

• 344 

. 451 

• 251 

• 380 

• 317 

. 267 

• 390 
392 

. 393 
. 284 

. 414 

. 162 
. 271 
. 272 
. 45 

. 327 

• 477 

. 159 

. 479 
. 495 
. 493 
. 484 
. 478 
. 485 
. 478 
. 498 

. 494 
. 221 

. 341 
. 491 
. 324 
. 322 
. 325 
. 119 
. 487 

. 186 
. 238 
. 2^ 


























































544 


4 


Index of Titles 


Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild . . . . 

Ghetto Cradle-Song, A. 

Gloria Tibi, Domine. 

Go Sleep, Ma Honey. 

Going to Bed at Night. 

Good-Night. 

Good-Night. 

Good-Night. 

Good-Night. 

Good-Night. 

Good-Night Prayer for a Little Child 

Good Shepherd, The. 

Greek Mother’s Lullaby. 

Hammock Lullaby. 

Harvest Slumber Song. 

Haymaker’s Lullaby, The. 

Hazeleye’s Lullaby. 

Highland Balou, The ....... 

Highland Croon, A. 

His Lullaby. 

Holy Innocents. 

Hottentot Cradle-Song. 

Hush Song, A. 

Hush Song. 

Hush Song. 

Hushaby. 

Hushaby. 

Hushaby, Darling. 

Hushabye Sea. 

Hushing Song. 

In a Garden. 

In a Low Rocking-Chair. 

In the Tree-Top. 

Indian Cradle Song. 

Indian Lullaby, An. 

Indian Lullaby, An. 

Indian Lullaby. 

Indian Lullaby. 

Invocation to Sleep, An. 

Irish Lullaby, An. 

“Jenny Wi’ the Aim Teeth” . . . 

Johnny’s By-Low Song. 

Kentucky Babe. 

King in the Cradle, The. 

Lady Anne Bothwell’s Lament . . . 

Lamentation of Danae, The . . . . 
Land o’ Nae Surprise, The . . . . 
Land of Dreams, The ....... 

Land of Dreams. The. 

Land of Nod, The. 


Wesley .... 481 
Raskin .... 359 

.418 

Barker .... 240 
O'Keeffe .... 490 
German . . . .112 

Hill .166 

Morris .... 473 
Taylor .... 90 
Wilkinson . . . 167 

Johnstone . . . 497 

Hawkins . . . 486 

Cocke .124 

Jordan .... 235 
Campbell . . . 201 

Carlin .176 

Pokagon . . . 219 

Burns .43 


Healy . , 
Rossetti . 
Ritter . . 
Gregan . 
O'Reilly . 
Shane 
Hastings . 
Wilson . 
Macbean . 
Pratt . . 
Macleod . 
Sivinburm 
Crezv . . 
Larcom . 


Bryan 
Comstock 
Myall . 
Holland 
Graves 
Anderson 
Richards 
Buck . 


. 207 

. 377 
. 141 
. 21 

. 143 

. 2^ 
. 49 
. 81 
. 363 
. 46 
. 287 

. 73 
. 237 
. 464 
. 187 
. 171 
. 95 

. 51 

. 192 
. 126 
. 246 
. 287 
. 312 
. 293 
. 316 
. 416 


• .350 

Simonides . . . 342 

Stevenson . . . 294 

Blake .299 

Sargent .... 298 
Wilkinson . . . 297 
























































Index' of Titles 545 


Last Cradle Song, The. 

Li'r Yaller Cradle. 

Little Alabama Coon. 

Little Blue Pigeon. 

“ Little Boatie ". 

Little Child's Hymn, A. 

Little Dreamers, The. 

Little Girl to Her Dollj^ The . . . 

Little Hymn, A. 

Little One Weary. 

Lollai, Lollai, Litil Child. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby.. . . 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullab}'". 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby, A. 

Lullaby. 

Lullaby. 


Hogg . . 
Garnett . 
Starr , . 
Field . . 
Van Dyke 
Palgrave . 
Stanton . 
Tay lor 
Taylor 
Rossetti . 


From Frininic 
French . . . 
Irish .... 
Welsh .... 
Alma Tadema . 
Barnes . . . 
Begbie . . . 
Boyle .... 
Brooks . . . 

Bynner . . . 

Chadwick . . 
Coates . . . 
Coleridge . . 
Cone .... 
Dare .... 
Daieidson . . 

Dekker . . . 
De la Mare . . 

Bison .... 
Foley .... 
Follen . . . 
Franz .... 
Glasgozv . . . 

Hardy . . . 

Harrison . . . 

Hueffer . . . 

Kenyon ... 
Beamy . . . 

McClusky . . 
Mack .... 
Maclean . . . 

Macleod . . . 


. 379 
. 164 

. 319 
. 168 
. 88 
. 490 

. 36s 

. 526 
. 476 
. 351 

. 406 

. 53 
. 108 
. 109 

. 113 

. 169 
. 208 

• 309 
' 92 

. Ill 
. 60 

. Ill 

. 224 
. 100 

• 449 
. 227 
. 80 
. 290 
. 268 
. 258 
. 109 

• 234 

• 255 

. 345 
. 19 

• 175 

• 391 

. 216 
. 83 

• 79 
. 3 ^ 
. 122 
. 116 
. 217 

. 465 
. 146 
. 86 
. 185 
. 78 

• 115 

































































546 Index of Titles 

Lullaby. MacManus . . 222 

Lullaby. Massey .... 94 

Lullaby. Mitchell .... 188 

Lullaby. Monroe .... 382 

Lullaby, A. Montgomery . , 62 

Lullaby. Muir .330 

Lullaby, A. O*Reilly . ... 11 

Lullaby, A. O'Sullivan, O .. . 305 

Lullaby. O’Sullivan, S. . .190 

Lullaby, A. Prescott . . . .145 

Lullaby. Rands .167 

Lullaby. Rands .184 

Lullaby, A. Ritchie .... 354 

Lullaby. Rossetti .... 223 

Lullaby. Sewall .... 100 

Lullaby. Sherman .... 261 

Lullaby, A .. Shirley .... 157 

Lullaby. Stafford .... 97 

Lullaby, A. Stanton .... 13 

Lullaby, A. Stewart .... 43 

Lullaby. Taylor .... 236 

Lullaby, A. Thaxter .... 91 

Lullaby, A.. Turnbull. . . .174 

Lullaby... Worth .117 

Lullaby Carol .. 413 

Lullaby for a Baby Fairy. Kilmer .... 331 

Lullaby for a Man-Child. Unter^neyer . . 337 

Lullaby for a Sick Child. Italian .378 

Lullaby for Christmas, A. Symonds. . . . 443 

Lullaby for Titania. Shakespeare . . 328 

Lullaby in Bethlehem. Bashford. . . . 437 

Lullab3'’-0, By-O, Babe. Pratt .97 

Lullaby, O Lullaby. Bennett .... 21 

Lullaby of a Female Convict to Her 

Child.. White .361 

Ltillaby of a Woman of. the Mountain.121 

Lullaby of an Infant Chief .... Scott .44 

Lullaby of Danae, The. Stedman .... 343 

Lullaby of the Iroquois. Johnson . . . .211 

Lullaby of the Piet Mother .... Lamprey .... 321 

Lullaby of the Virgin.397 

Lullaby Song. M’Kcnzic . . . 277 

Lullabye, A. Roundy .... 147 

Lullay, Lullay.415 

Lullay! Lullay! Lytel Child.408 

Lully, Lulley . .^.33S 

Madonna and Child, The.410 

Magruder’s Lullaby.386 

Mammy’s Li’l Boy. Bdzvards .... 23 

Mammy’s Lullaby. Gillilan .... 241 



























































Index of Titles 547 


Mary to her Babe. O’K., L. L. 

Mary’s Manger-Song. Gannett . 

Mater Aniabilis. Gazavus 

Mpican Lullaby, A. Conkling \ 

Midsummer Lullaby. 

Morning Lullaby, A.! Coll [ \ 

Mother-Song. Austin . 

Mother-Song, A. Dorr . 

Mother-Song, A. Spofford 

Mother to her Infant, The .... Miller. . 

Mother to her Sick Child, A . . . Davies . 

Mother’s Evening Hymn, A . . . . Luther . 


Mother’s Song, A. Dobell 

Mother’s Song, The. M'Kenzie 

Mother’s Song, A . .. Rossetti . 

My Baby Dear. Abbott . 

My Dearest Baby, Go to Sleep . . . Miller . . 

My Dro-wsy Little Queen. Peck . . 

My Little Bo-Peep. 

My Little Dear. Radford . 

Nativity Carol. 

Neece the Rapparec. Carbery . 

Night. Butts . . 

Nipper’s Lullaby, The. Spurr . . 

Norman Cradle-Song. O'Sullivan 

Norse Lullaby. Field . . 

Norwegian Cradle-Song. Fronsen . 

Now Let Me Lay the Pearl Away , . Prentiss . 

Nursery Hour, A. Lindsay . 

Nursery Song, A. Carter. . 

Nurse’s Song. Blake . . 

O Sleep, My Babe. Coleridge 

Old Gaelic Cradle Song. An. 

Our Blessed Lady’s Lullaby .... Rozvlands 

Peak and Puke. De la Mare 

Poppy-Land Limited Express, The . . Abbott 

Prairie Mother’s Lullaby, A . . . . Brininstool 

Prayer, A. Markham 

Prayers.*. • * 

Rebel Mother’s Lullaby. Leslie . . 

Rizpah’s Lullaby. 


Rock-a-by Lady, The. Field . . 

Rockaby, Lullaby. Holland . 

Rocking Hymn, A. Wither . 

Romany Lullaby, A. De Charms 

Rosy-Posy. Carter 

St. Bride’s Lullaby. Macleod . 

Sand-Man, The. 


. 436 

• 439 
. 57 
. 230 
. 201 
. 196 
. 20 
. 472 
. 117 

. 96 

. 379 
. 456 
. 76 
. 72 
. 247 
. 72 
. 63 
. 177 

• 36 

• 14 
, 61 
. 410 
. 31S 
. 255 
. 388 

• 334 
. 191 
. 52 
. IS 
. 254 

. 209 

. 159 

• 353 
. 181 
. 420 

. 329 

. 249 
. 178 
. 488 
. 475 

. 369 

. 79 
. 2^ 
. 275 
. 173 

. 457 
. 171 
. 253 

. 454 
. 265 

























































548 IndeiV of Titles 



Sand-Man, The. 

Coates . . 


. 268 

Sand-Man, The. 

Cooper . , 


. 265 

Sandman, The. 

German . . 


. 264 

Sandman, The. 

Slater . . 


. 263 

Sandman, The. 

Vandegrift . 


. 269 

Say, Little Maiden. 

Upson. , . 


■ 35 

Sea Slumber-Song. 

Noel . . . 


. 181 

Seaside Nursery Song. 

La T. . . . 


. 182 

Sephestia’s Song to her Child . . . 

Greene . . 


. 352 

Serenade, A. 

Hood . . . 


. 385 

Servian Lullaby, A. 

Hopper . . 


. 280 

Shepherd Boy’s Song, The. 

Bunyan . . 


. 486 

Sleep, Baby Dear. 

• • • • • • 


. 82 

Sleep, Baby, Sleep r. 

Jones . . . 


• 77 

Sleep, Beloved, Sleep. 

• • • • • 


. 84 

Sleep, Darling, Sleep. 

Slade . . . 


. 381 

Sleep Fairy. 

Tyuan . . . 


. 261 

Sleep! Holy Babe. 

Caszvall , . 


• 425 

Sleep, Little Dove. 

Alsatian . . 


. 406 

Sleep, My Infant Saviour. 

Rider . . . 


. 426 

Sleep, My Little ’Simmin-Colored 




Coon. 

Plass . . . 


. 220 

Sleep, My Treasure. 

Nesbit . . 


. 232 

Sleep, 0 Sleep!. 

Hastings . . 


• 134 

Sleep, Robin, Sleep. 

Clark . . . 


. 147 

Sleep, Sleep, My Babe. 

Kenyon . . 


. 83 

Sleep Song, A. 

Irish . . . 


. 206 

Sleep-Time in Darktown. 

• • • • • • 


. 170 

Sleeping and Watching. 

Brozuning . 


. 30 

Sleepy Man. 

Roberts . . 


. 274 

Sleepy Song, The. 

Bacon . . . 


. 229 

Sleepy Song, A. 

Going . . . 


. 224 

Sleepy Song, A. 

Jacobs-Bond 


. 253 

Sleepy-Time . . . .'. 

Talbot . . 


. 239 

Slumber Fairies. 

Bates . . . 


• 259 

Slumber Song. 

• • • • • • 


• 50 

Slumber Song. 

• • • • • 


. 132 

Slumber Song, A. 

German . . 


. 207 

Slumber Song, A. 

Aiken . . . 


. 256 

Slumber Song. 

Furlong . . 


. 326 

Slumber Song. 

Pointer . . 


. 179 

Slumber Song. 

Tabb . . . 


. 160 

Slumber Song. 

Thaxter . . 


. 77 

Slumber Song. 

Van Vorsf . 


. 333 

Slumber-Songs of the Madonna . . . 

Noves . . . 


. 442 

Song. 

Carman . . 


. 161 

Song. 

Tennyson 


. 189 

Song for a Babe. 

Tngelow . . 


. 89 

Song of Eve to Cain, The .... 

Sterling . . 


• 338 

Song of Mary, A. 

Bcgbie . . 


. 449 
























IndciV of Titles 549 

Song of Sleep-Time, A.250 

Song of the Dove. Bremer .... 474 


Song of the Little Winds. Richards .... 183 

Stars’ Song, The. MacDonald . . .330 

Sweet Lullaby, A. Breton .... 348 

Sweet Mary Lulled her Blessed Child.427 

Sweetly Sleep.135 

Swing, Cradle, Swing. Cooper .... 281 

Swing Low, Swing Low.273 

Syrian Lullaby , . • .. Cunningham . . 9 

Tender Shepherd, The. Diincan .... 480 

Three Kings’ Song. Baring-Gould . . 468 

Three Lullabies. Brooks .... 149 

To a Sleeping Child. Clough .... 28 

To an Infant Sleeping. Trench .... 29 

To Slumber Town. W., M. H. . . . 257 

To the Guardian Angel. Tastu .477 

Tree Buds, The. Brozvn .... 205 

Unto Us a Child is Born. Begbie .... 395 

Virgin Mary to the Child Jesus, The Brozvning . . . 428 

Virgin’s Cradle-Hymn, The .... Coleridge . . . 396 

Virgin’s Lullaby, The. Sicilian .... 399 

Virgin’s Lullaby, The. Piedmontese . . 403 

Virgin’s Lullaby, The. Hopper .... 438 

Virgin’s Slumber Song, The .... Carlin . ... 4^3 

Voyage to Lullaby Land, The . . . Brininstool . . . 2^1 

Warm Cradle, The. Alma Tadcma . . 228 

Welsh Lullaby, A. Hughes . . . .158 

Where Shall the Baby’s Dimple Be? Holland .... 138 

Whispering Palms. Lope de Vega . . 425 

Widow, The. Sicilian .... 373 

Widow's Lullaby, The. Welsh .372 

Widow’s Lullaby, The. Dobell .... 374 

Wild Woman’s Lullaby, The .... Skinner .... 194 

Willie Winkie. Miller .314 

Winter Lullaby, A. Miller ..... 203 

Winter Song, A. Camp .202 

Wintry Lullaby, A. Alma Tad etna . . 203 

You’s Sweet to Yo’ Mammy Jes’ De 
Same. Johnson .... 99 







































INDEX OF FIRST LINES 

PAGE 

A baby was sleeping.141 

A beautiful bird at the casement sings.256 

A herald am I from the Land of Drear.*s.298 

A-la- 16 , my son is a beauty.105 

A-la- 16 , the Sanctus has rung.105 

A song for the baby, sweet little Bopeep.255 

“ Ah, my dear Son,” said Mary, “ ah, my dear ”... 414 
Ah, rest to the morrow, for many the sorrow .... 369 

All by the sides of the wide wild river.193 

All is still and restful now. 82 

All is still in sweetest rest.132 

All of the flowers are going to bed.238 

All the lands are filled with soldiers.363 

Another day is numbered with the past.476 

Another day its course hath run.478 

As a blossom sweet and rosy.140 

As I walked over the hills one day.209 

As soon as the fire burns red and low.229 

At sunset our white butterflies.236 

Auld Daddy Darkness creeps frae his hole.276 

Awake, awake, my little boy!.299 

Away across the yellow plain.230 

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.457 

Baby, baby bright.27 

Baby, baby dear.27 

Baby, baby, hush-a-bye.224 

Baby is a sailor boy.281 

Baby is sailing away in a boat.283 

Baby, see the flowers!.237 

Baby, sleep! shadows creep.364 

Baby wants a lullaby.167 

Baby was lonely with mother away.327 

Baby’s brain is tired of thinking.387 

Baloo, baloo, my wee, wee thing. lO 

Balooloo, my lammie, balooloo, my dear.347 

Balow, my babe, lie still and sleep!.350 

Bawloo, my bonnie baby, bawlililu.379 

Be hush’d, my dear.133 

Because some men in khaki coats.366 

Bee baw babby lou, on a tree top. I 

Bee baw bunting. I 

Before I close my eyes in sleep.494 

Birds in the night that softly call ..233 

550 











































551 


Index of First Lines 


Birds in their nests are softly calling.i88 

Blow, wind, blow.203 

By-by, lullaby, by-by, lullaby.407 

Bye, baby, day is over.149 

Bye O my baby.337 

Cease, warring thoughts, and let his brain.157 

Chickens am a-roostin’ in de old plum-tree.220 

Child, my child, how sound you sleep.344 

Close her eyes; she must not peep!.114 

Close to the heart that is throbbing in love for you . . 79 

Closely to my heart I hold thee.449 

Come, baby, and swing in the hammock with me . . . 235 
Come, cuddle your head on my shoulder, dear .... 296 

Come hither. Sleep, from Chio’s isle I.247 

Come little l)abe, come silly soul.348 

Come, little one with drowsy eyes.202 

Come, O Sleep, from Chio’s isle.247 

Come, white angels, to baby and me.139 

Crying, my little one, footsore and weary?.351 

Dance, my baby diddy.37 

Dante saw the great white Rose.442 

Dat ol’ Possum in de tree, he is waitin’ jes’ to see . . . 317 

Day has barred her windows close, and gangs wi’ quiet 

feet. 45 

Day is ending; night is falling.268 

Day is stealing down the West.258 

De I de ! lambskin mine. 4 

De li’l’ Jesus-Baby. 451 

Dear mother, in dreams I see her.92 

Deirin de, Deirin del.206 

Dere’s a li’l’ yaller cradle.164 

Dollie, the night has come. 39 i 

Don’t grow old too fast, my sweet!.76 

Down the goldenest of streams. 57 

Dream, dream, thou flesh of me! ..Ii 7 

Dreams! cheer the child with sights of joy.245 

Drowsily hum, drowsily hum. 7 i 

Duru, diiru, duru, lia!. 7 i 

Eiapopeia, my baby, sleep on. 7 I 

Eilidh, Eilidh .. 73 

Ere on my bed my limbs I lay. 47 ° 

Ere the moon begins to rise.233 

Evening is falling to sleep in the west.ii 9 

Evening shades are falling . I 09 

Far and away in the Land of Nod.297 

Father, hear Thy children.487 

Father, unto Thee I pray. 4 ^ 

Father, who keepest. 499 


Fold thy hands, little one . 











































552 Index of First Lines 

Foolish Wide Eyes! Lullaby I.107 

From his cradle in the glamourie .329 

Furl your sail, my little boatie.88 

Gentle Jesus, meek and mild.4S1 

Gently dream, my darling child.361 

Give me thy hand, pretty, pretty. 5 

Go t’ sleep, li’l honey, white chile.154 

Go to sleep, you poor little darling.302 

God is so good that He will hear.476 

God, make my life a little light.483 

God, that madest Earth and Heaven.478 

Golden slumbers kiss your e>cs. 19 

Good night. 2 

Good night.112 

Good night, good night.129 

Good night, good night! the day is done.473 

Happy eve, happy eve! .72 

He peeps in through the ke3hole.265 

He that is down needs fear no fall ..486 

Heaven is a fine place, a fine place entirely.464 

Hee balou, my sweet wee Donald.43 

“ Heigho, my precious! ” sings the little brown Mary . 261 

Here on our rock-away horse we go.293 

Here’s the wa}^ to Slumber Town.257 

He’s run his little legs orff, and at last he’s gone to sleep 388 
High up on the mountain the wind bloweth wild . . . 107 

Hither, Sleep! A mother wants thee.246 

Holy angels and blest.425 

Hope of my heart, in thy cradle reposing.71 

How do we know.162 

How like a tender mother.159 

Hush-a-ba, birdie, croon, croon.207 

Hnsh-a-baa, baby, dinna mak’ a din.301 

Hush-a-by, baby! Your baby, mamma.392 

Hush-a-by, hush-a-by I. 3 

Hush-a-bye, baby. 2 

Hush-a-bye, baby.301 

Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep.300 

Hush and balou, babie. 2 

Hush, baby, hush.228 

Hush, baby, hush, while the .shadows are falling . . . 186 

Hush, hush!.52 

Hush, hush, baby mine. 3 

Hush, hush, hush!. 2 

Hush, hush, my little babe!.303 

Hush, hush; rest my sweet.145 

Hush! I cannot bear to see thee.357 

Hush! lulla, lullaby! So mother sings. 8 

Hush, my baby, sleep. ... 107 














































553 


Index of First Lines 

Hush, my darling; hush, my darling.38 

Hush, my darling, sleep quickly.3*12 

Hush! my dear, lie still and slumber.460 

Hush, my little one! Hush! Lie down ....... 259 

Hush, my little round-faced daughter. 6 

Hush! the waves are rolling in.l8i 

Hush Thee, hush Thee, little Son.438 

Hush thee, my baby. l 

Hush thee, my baby. 4 

Hush thee, my baby boy, hush thee to sleep.43 

Hush thee, my baby O! never thee cry.321 

Hush thee, my baby, oh hush thee to sleep.135 

Hush thee, sweet baby.345 

Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye.311 

Hushaljy, darling, and hushaby, dear, O.46 

Hushaby, hushaby.81 

Hushaby! Hushaby! Sheep-bells are tinkling.171 

Hushaby, lullaby, rockaby, dear.203 

Hushaby, my darling boy.39 

Husheen, the herons are crying.190 

Hushy baby, my doll, I pray you don’t cry.390 

I hear no voice, I feel no touch.479 

I lay me down to rest me.475 

I saw a fair maiden sit and sing.413 

I saw a sweet and seemly sight.408 

I think, when I read that sweet story of old.496 

I’d rock my own sweet childie to rest.93 

If Granny but knew how. 3 

If my boy sleep quietly.302 

I’ll put you, myself, my baby, to slumber.60 

I’ll send you now sailing across the sea.290 

In days gone by, when a baby I.149 

In going to my naked bed as one that would have slept . loi 
In the cradle of my heart my sweet one will I lay . . 143 

In the darken’d alcove.32 

In the embers shining bright.56 

In the green boughs on the tree-top.232 

In the winged cradle of sleep I lay.65 

In this hush of night.330 

In thy hammock gently sleeping.85 

I’s a little Alabama Coon.319 

Isabellita, do not pine.130 

I’ve found my bonny babe a nest.287 

Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me!.480 

Kind Shepherd, see. Thy little lamb.486 

Lay thy head upon this pillow.80 

Lenna van-mo.. . . . 115 

Lie a-bed. 3 

Light and rosy be thy slumbers. 74 















































554 Index of First Lines 

Lips, lips, open !.28 

Little babe, while burns the west.89 

Little baby, lay your head.90 

Little brown baby-bird, lapped in your nest.211 

Little child, good child, go to sleep.221 

Little gold head, my house’s candle.121 

Little golden sun, the rain is coming, coming.280 

Little hungry bat3y—do not cry.370 

Little Jesus, wast Thou shy.491 

Little one, thy mother’s weeping.343 

Little waves, happy waves.182 

Lo, in the west.160 

Lollai, lollai, litil Child.406 

Lord Gabriel, wilt thou not rejoice.151 

Lord, I have passed another day.485 

Lord, teach a little child to pray.475 

Love me,—I love you.•. 72 

Lovely, lovely is my son!.243 

Loving looks the large-eyed cow.4^ 

Low in the troubled west.82 

Lull-lully, my baby, oh, would that thy mother .... 372 

Lulla-lullaby.301 

Lullaby and good-night.129 

Lullaby, child of the Madonna. 7 

Lullaby, my little one.38 

Lullaby, my pretty baby.329 

Lullaby, O lullaby. 21 

“Lullaby, O, lullaby”. 385 

Lullaby, oh, lullaby.223 

Lullaby, sweet baby mine!.301 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby. 5 

Lullayl lullay! lytel Child, myn owyn dere fode . . . 408 

Lullay, lullay, thou lytill Child.415 

Lully, lulla, thow littell tine Child.409 

Lully, lulley; lully, lulley.335 

Madonna, Madonna.465 

Mary, the mother, sits on the hill.440 

Mo cheann ban beag, lie still and rest.ii 

My baby is sleeping. 9 

My bonnie wean! my darlin’ bairn I.136 

My counterpane is soft as silk.4^ 

My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy. 5 

My dearest baby, go to sleep.177 

My heart is like a fountain true.69 

My heart makes mock at the long day’s harms .... 78 

My little Bo-Peep is fast asleep.14 

My little dear, so fast asleep.61 

My little girl is nested.36 

My little one, sleep softly.382 














































555 


Index of First Lines 

My little son, I wish you well. 6 

My love, 1 wish thee well! so lullaby!. 7 

My mirth and merriment, soft and sweet art thou . . . 324 

My sweet little Babie, what meanest Thou to cry? . . . 416 

Night is over; through the clover globes of crj^stal shine . 331 
Now bylow, baby, and slumber sweet and soundly . . . 113 

Now condescend. Almighty King.498 

Now I lay me down to sleep.. . 475 

Now ril put on your nice little evening coat.252 

Now it grows late—the angel has passed by.157 

Now let me lay the pearl away.15 

Now may’st thou take sweet sleep, my babe.304 

Now sleep, my baby, sweetly sleep.106 

Now the day is over . . . . ‘.484 

Now the golden day is ending.179 

Now the little white sheep.213 

Now the starry day is ended.330 

Now the sun has passed away.495 

Now while rest the happy herds.234 

O blue eyes close in slumber.225 

O can ye sew cushions and can ye sew sheets.337 

O, close your bright eyes, brown child*of the forest . . 219 

O! de sun quit a-shinin’ fo’ dis arternoon.267 

O, hush thee, my babie, thy sire was a knight.44 

O hush thee, my child.337 

O hush thee, my child! thy mother bends o’er thee . . . 345 

O hushaby, baby! Why weepest thou ?.305 

O Lord, Who, when Thy cross was nigh.489 

O lullaby, my baby. The bee has gone to sleep. ... 64 

O Mary, mother, if the day we trod.122 

O men from the fields.123 

O my deir hert, ^'^oung Jesus sweit.410 

O saftly sleep, my bonnie bairn!.354 

O sleep, my babe, hear not the rippling wave.353 

O Sleep, O Sleep, O thou beguiler, Sleep ...... 244 

O sleep, sweet infant, for we all must sleep.109 

O Sleep, who takest little ones.245 

O slumber; washed on Saturday . .. 8 

OI still my child. Orange.300 

O woman, washing by the river!.322 

Och, hush ye then, och hush ye.49 

O’er the haycocks comes the moon.100 

Oh, Baby Christ, so dear to me ... ^. 454 

Oh drinking deep of slumber’s holy wine.29 

Oh, honey, li’l honey, come and lay yo’ woolly head . . 146 

Oh hush thee, little Dear-my-Soul. 47 i 

Oh, many’s the time in the evening.383 

Oh! ninna and anninia.18 

Oh I rest, my baby, rest!.33^ 







































556 Index of First Lines 

or mammy gwine to tell yo'.251 

Over the cradle the mother hung.138 

Plump little baby clouds.169 

Receive my body, pretty bed.490 

Rest asthoreen, down the boreen.286 

Rest, my babe, rest!.108 

Rock-a-by, baby.205 

“ Rock-a-by, baby, up in the tree-top I ”.187 

Rock-a-by, hush-a-by, little papoose.126 

Rock-a-by, rock-a-by, little brown baby.95 

Rock-a-bye, baby, in the tree-top.54 

Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green. i 

Rock well my cradle.300 

Rockaby, baby, thy cradle is green.53 

Rockaby, lullaby, bees on the clover.173 

Rockaby, rockaby.239 

Rosy, my posy.253 

Santa Maria I cover the child.108 

Saw ye Neece O’Hagan.315 

Say, birdies, when your bed-time comes.226 

Say, little maiden with dewdrop eyes.35 

Sea-birds are asleep.181 

See how the poppies nod.449* 

She droops like a dew-dropping lily.374 

Shee said: Lullabye, mine owne deere child! . . . . 337 

Shepherd Jesus, in Thy arms.479 

Shet yo’ eyes, ma little pickaninny, go to sleep .... 99 

Shokeen sho! There’s a new moon setting.326 

Shoon-a-shoon.453 

Sich a li’l feller, en he settin’ up so wise 1 .13 

Silver clouds are lightly sailing.201 

Sing, I must sing to my dear dolly, sing.393 

Sing it, Mother! sing it low.56 

Sister Simplicitie.289 

’Skeeters am a-hummin’ on de honeysuckle vine .... 316 

Sleep a ni-na-na, a nice long sleep.106 

Sleep, baby mine, enkerchieft on my bosom.361 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.77 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.116 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.132 

Sleep, baby, sleep.185 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.207 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.309 

Sleep, baby, sleep.311^ 

Sleep, baby, sleep!.380 

Sleep, baby, sleep! The Christmas stars are shining . . 472 

Sleep, Baby, sleep! The mother sings.435 

Sleep, beloved, sleep.^ 

Sleep, Child—Thy mother’s first-born. Thou.397 












































557 


Indecc of First Lines 

Sleep, dear child, as mother bids.378 

Sleep, Dolly, sleep.390 

Sleep, holy Babe, upon Thy mother’s breast.425 

Sleep, li’l boy, an’ I rock-a you low.250 

Sleep, li’l chillun—daddy gone ter fight.365 

Sleep, little baby of mine.120 • 

Sleep, little baby, sleep.141 

Sleep, little baby, sleep, sleep, sleep.201 

Sleep, little Dove, the sky’s dark above.406 

Sleep, little moon of my delight. 9 

Sleep, little one, and be good.231 

Sleep, little one, in thy tiny bed.63 

Sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings.168 

Sleep, mah li’l pigeon.241 

Sleep make, baby. 4 

Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber.iii 

Sleep, my babe, your road of dreams.258 

Sleep, my baby, all the night!.97 

Sleep, my baby, sleep, my boy.83 

Sleep, my baby, sleep, my darling.75 

Sleep, my baby, while I sing.212 

Sleep, my boy, the night is treading.359 

Sleep, my child, my darling child, my lovely child, sleep! . 155 

Sleep, my child, no care can cumber.124 

Sleep, my child, sleep, my child.305 

Sleep, my childie, sleep.198 

Sleep, my darling, calm and fearless.130 

Sleep, my darling, sleep!.91 

Sleep, my daughter, sleep an hour.38 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep.62 

Sleep, my dear one, sleep, my laddie.4i . 

Sleep, my eye, sleep, sleep a slumber hale.no 

Sleep; my infant Saviour, on Thy lowly bed.426 

Sleep, my little flax-haired fairy.47 

Sleep, my little Jesus.439 

Sleep, my little papoose, sleep on.51 

Sleep, my own baby, my darling thou art.131 

Sleep, O my babe, not thine a manger.464 

Sleep, O my darling, sleep.161 

Sleep, O my little Babe, my Son, my King!.436 

Sleep, O sleep!. I34 

Sleep, oh sleep, dear Baby mine.403 

Sleep on, baby, on the floor.30 

Sleep, Robin, sleep.I 47 

Sleep! sleep! beauty bright.26 

Sleep, sleep, little Cain!. 34 i 

Sleep, sleep, little mouse!.3^2 

Sleep, sleep, lovely white soul.i 75 

Sleep, sleep, mine Holy One!.428 

















































558 Index of First Lines 

Sleep, sleep, my babe, night will not harm thee .... 83 

Sleep, sleep, my darling.Ill 

Sleep, sleep, my treasure.232 

Sleep, sleep, sleep!. 158 

Sleep, Sleep, that comest from the mountains.243 

Sleep, Sleep, that hover’st round.244 

Sleep, sleep,—the south wind blows.. . 79 

Sleep soft, baby mine! . . . . ^.174 

Sleep, sweet Babe, my cares beguiling.396 

Sleep sweetly, little child; lie quiet and still.130 

Sleep well, my dear, sleep safe and free.456 

Sleep, white little angel of God, a lullaby.105 

Sleepe, babie mine. Desire’s nurse, Beautie, singeth . . 19 

Sleepy little, creepy little goblins in the gloaming . . . 216 

Slumber and dream of the fast coming years.50 

Slumber, my darling, no danger is near.96 

Slumber, slumber, darling, the old mocking-bird is singing 107 

Slumber, slumber, dearest, sweetest treasure.311 

Slumber, slumber, little one, now.261 

Slumber, sweet Slumber.243 

Soft breezes blowing, and low in the west.287 

Soft sleeps the earth in moonlight blest.117 

Softly now the burn is rushing.222 

Softly sink in slumbers golden.94 

Sun am des a golden ball.170 

Sunlight, moonlight.162 

Suppose I put my baby to sleep.86 

Sweet and low, sweet and low.189 

Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee.128 

Sweet babe, a golden cradle holds thee.325 

Sweet baby, sleep; what ails my dear.457 

Sweet dreams, form a shade.462 

Sweet Mary lulled her blessed Child.427 

Sweet, my child, in slumber lie..373 

Sweetly sleep in peaceful pleasure.135 

Swing low, swing low.273 

Swing thee low in thy cradle soft.171 

Swung in the hollows of the deep.123 

Teach me, Father, how to go.488 

The angels are stooping.148 

The baby child of Mary.456 

The bairnies cuddle doon at nicht.65 

The birdies may sleep, but the winds must wake. . . . 183 

The butterfly swings on the flower asleep.224 

The child not yet is lulled to rest.161 

The crickets in the corner sing ..214 

The Danaan children laugh, in cradles of wrought gold . 346 

The days are cold, the nights are long. 

The evening is coming, the sun sinks to rest.218 











































559 


Tndecc of First Lines 


The first train leaves at six p. m .249 

The flowers have gone to bed.264 

The heaven is bright. 1 18 

The Knight is away in the merry greenwood.310 

The Magi came out of the Orient Land.468 

The mountains waver through my tears.357 

The pines have gathered upon the hill.185 

The restless clock is ticking out. 469 

The ribs of new moons.176 

The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby Street.275 

The rooks’ nests do rock on the tree-top.100 

The rose is sleeping beside the marjoram.156 

The rosy clouds float overhead.269 

The sky is dark and the hills are white.191 

The snow is white, the wind is cold.255 

The stars shine forth from the blue sky.477 

The sun has sunk behind the hills.166 

The sun is sleeping in the skies.167 

The sun is weary, for he ran.222 

The sunset deepens in the West.178 

The tree leaves are murmuring hua-la-la.312 

The Virgin stills the crying.395 

The Virgin thus to Jesus did sing.399 

The wind is awake on the mountain’s breast.196 

The wind is tapping the window-pane.147 

The wind whistled loud at the window-pane. 

The winds are whispering over the sea . ..118 

The winds go down in peace, dear child.90 

The years they come, and the years they go.355 

There, go to sleep, Dolly, in own mother’s lap.526 

There hath come an host to see Thee.437 

There is a Child born of our blessed Virgin.418 

There sitteth a dove, so white and fair.474 

There, there, there.386 

There’s a baby moon rocking far up in the sky .... 172 

They are fluttering and fluttering, like birds upon the tree 227 

This endris night.!.410 

Thou canst not understand my words.379 

Thou, from whom we never part.493 

Thou little child, with tender, clinging arms.77 

Thou that once, on mother’s knee.490 

Thy heart and mine are one, my dear.74 

’Tis night on the mountain.114 

To sleep the corn is sinking.236 

Toutouie la, la, my little child.70 

Trylle the ball, again, my Jacke. 2 

Twilight is here and the baby is weary.268 

Up and down, up and down.254 

Upon my lap, my Sovereign sits.420 











































560 


Index of First Lines 


Watch over me while I’m asleep.477 

We are sailing away in a Wonder-Boat.284 

Wee Willie Winkie rins through the town.314 

Weep not, my wanton, smile upon my knee.352 

We’ve wandered all about the upland fallows.217 

What a plague is this o’ mine.312 

What danger, Mary.441 

What do they do in Bylo-land.292 

What does little birdie say.231 

What has this man got? A sack.265 

What is the little one thinking about?.16 

What is the road to Slumberland.248 

What shall I sing to thee, babe, on my back?.194 

When all the little birds have gone to rest.97 

When all the West is fold on fold.278 

When bairns on pillows lay their heids.294 

When children lay them down to sleep.129 

When, in the carven chest.342 

When little birdie bye-bye goes.208 

When out of the West long shadows creep.142 

When prayers have been offered and good-nights are said 281 

When the lights are lit.263 

When the little children sleep.128 

When the low flying wind, awake.333 

When the moon is afloat.334 

When the shades of night are falling, and the sun goes 

down.271 

When the Sleepy Man comes with the dust on his eyes . 274 

When the sun has left the hill-top.67 

When the toys are growing weary.272 

When the voices of children are heard on the green , . 159 

Where does my sweetheart baby go.277 

Where the waves are lapping, lapping softly o’er the 

pearly pebbles.192 

Where was a jewel and pretty.300 

While the angels sang hosannas!.395 

Whipp’will’s singin’ to de Tnoon.240 

Whisper, whisper out of the west. 

White little hands.20 

Who all time dodgin’ en de cott’n en de corn? .... 23 

Who is it opens her blue bright eye.10 

Why dost thou weep, my child?.2I 

Willie, fold your little hands.367 

Ye little elves, who haunt sweet dells.333 

You cried in your sleep for your mother, dear .... 377 


You spotted snakes with double tongue.328 







































LINES FROM REFRAINS 

PAGE 

Ah, sleep, ma li’l baby.146 

And it’s O! sweet, sweet! and a lullaby.69 

Baby, baby!.277 

Balow, la-low!.350 

Bide but a little longer.50 

Blossom, blossom, nestle close!.330 

Bye, bye, drowsiness o’ertaking.92 

Bye oh! Baby bye !.227 

Byo, baby boy, oh bye.23 

Go to sleep, my little pickaninny.319 

Heigh-ho, my baby, O.284 

Heigh O! Heugh O! what’ll I do wi’ ye?.338 

Hush-a-by, babe not mine.322 

Hush-a-by, rock-a-by, brown little papoose.219 

Hush thee, darling, sleep!.184 

It’s time little people were going to bed.218 

La lullaby, sleep on, my child.132 

Lennavan mo.369 

Lul-la-by-o, by-lo, baby.80 

Lulla, la lulla, lulla, lullaby.416 

Lulla, lulla, lullaby.328 

Lullaby and lullaloo; sleep, lammie, noo.45 

Lullaby, baby.233 

Lullaby, baby, lullaby dear!.277 

Lullaby, lullaby—lullaby.262 

Lullaby, lullaby, rock-a-by, baby.150 

Lullaby, my gentle boy.362 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby!.' . . . . 83 

Lullaby, sweet lullaby, at closing of the day.143 

Lullay, lullow.408 

Lullay, mine Liking._. 4^3 

Now rock-a-bye, rock-a-bye, pretty babie!.468 

O hushaby, little one, sleep.172 

O hushy, hushy ba’.I 37 

O sleep, my baby, sleep._.64 

Oh, hush thee—hush thee—hush-a-by, darling.383 

Oh, weary, my Dearie, so weary!.274 

Rest thee, rest thee, little one!. 343 

Rock, little baby, rock.283 

Rock them, rock them, lullaby.IQ 

Shoheen sho, lu-lu-lo!.326 

Shoheen, shoheen, shoheen, shoheen.323 

Shuheen sho, lulo, lo!. 325 


561 












































562 


Lines from Refrains 


Silvah moon am sailin’ low.98 

Sing a low!.170 

Sing, lullaby, my little boy.420 

Sleep, Kentucky Babe I.316 

Sleep, little one, sleep.191 

Sleep, my baby, sleep I.47 

Sleep, my baby, sleep.264 

Sleep, my darling, thou art weary.357 

Sleep, my Heart’s Desire. 427 

Sleep, my little one, sleep.147 

Sleep, sleep, sleep.234 

Sleep, softly sleep, my pretty one.469 

So blyssid be the tyme.408 

So hush-a-by, wearie my Dearie.274 

Sweet one, sleep to my lullaby.94 

Sweetly sleep; Jesus doth keep.119 

Swing, li’l’ cradle, swing, swing.. . 164 

To and fro, lu la lo.61 

To Thee a thousand times we raise.397 

Where all the flowers go niddlety nod.293 


C 






















LULLABIES IN THE NEGRO 

DIALECT 

PAGE 

Anonymous . . . Sleep-Time in Darktown.170 

Anonymous ... A Song of Sleep-Time.250 

Barker, E. D. . . Go Sleep, Ma Honey.240 

Buck, R. H. . . . Kentucky Babe.316 

Dal}'’, T. A. ... A Dixie Lullaby.267 

Dulaney, Emma . . Honey-Bug Baby.^ 

Dunbar, P. L. . . Lullabies.^ 

Edwards, H. S. . . Mammy’s Li’l Boy.23 

Garnett, L. A. . . De Li’l’ Jesus-Baby.451 

Garnett, L. A. . . Li’l’ Yaller Cradle.164 

Gillilan, S. W. . . Mammy’s Lullaby.241 

Johnson, J. W. . . De Little Pickaninny’s Gone to Sleep.' 

Johnson, J. W. . . You’s Sweet to Yo’ Mammy Jes’ 

De Same.99 

Jones, G. M. . . . Old Mammy’s Lullaby Songs.' 

Leamy, E. S. . . . Lullaby.146 

Melton, W. F. . . Black Mammy’s Lullaby.154 

Miner, L. R. . . . De Li’l’ Road to Res’.251 

Miner, L. R. . . . Dey Don’ Know.317 

Plass, W. H. . . . Sleep, My Little ’Simmon-Colored 

Coon.220 

Pratt, H. N. . . . Lullaby- 0 , By -0 Babe.97 

Stanton, F. L. . . The Little Dreamers.365 

Starr, Hattie . . . Little Alabama Coon.319 

Weeden, Howard . Mammy’s Lullaby.' 

Young, Martha . . Black Mother’s Lullaby.' 

'Not included in this collection. 


563 
























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